Funtoberhttp://www.funtober.com
Fall Fun Information - Oktoberfest, Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, Halloween, Festivals and CostumesTue, 31 Mar 2015 20:36:22 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3Favorite Christmas Songs and Lyrics for Holiday Funhttp://www.funtober.com/favorite-christmas-songs-lyrics-holiday-fun/
http://www.funtober.com/favorite-christmas-songs-lyrics-holiday-fun/#commentsTue, 23 Dec 2014 04:02:23 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=37138Christmas Songs, Lyrics, and Merry Christmas To All How hard could it be to choose your favorite Christmas songs? I was watching the NBC Today Show this week when they flashed a list of the top Christmas songs on their Orange room screen. Eureka, I could write a holiday post about my favorite top 10 or top 100 Christmas songs. Little did I realize how hard it would be. First, am I picking the top classic songs, or most popular, or favorite artists this year or most downloaded on iTunes, Spotify, or Billboard? Next am I picking my favorite singer? Almost anything sung this year by Michael Buble seems to hit the top lists. Do I include kids songs into these favorites? So here are my choices but I warn you that I could change my mind. Also I am showing my age a little in generally choosing the classic singers. I thought I would include some partial lyrics for these popular songs further below. I am adding some you tube video of classic songs and singers. Hope you enjoy. My Favorite Top 10 Christmas Songs 1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby 2. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Raindeer – Gene Autry 3. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey 4. The Chipmunk Song – Chipmunks 5. Silent Night – Mahalia Jackson 6. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year – Andy Williams 7. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms 8. The 12 Days of Christmas – Ray Conniff 9. Frosty The Snowman – Gene Autry 10. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting…) - Nat King Cole My Favorite Religious Themed Christmas Songs Silent Night Oh Come All Ye Faithful Hark, The Herald Angels Sing O Tannenbaum Joy to the World God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Oh Holy Night Little Drummer Boy Away in a Manger The First Noel It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Do You Hear What I Hear Oh Little Town of Bethlehem Favorite Fun Christmas Songs for Kids Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Frosty The Snowman The Chipmunk Song Snoopy’s Christmas Jingle Bells Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Up On The Housetop Here Comes Santa Claus All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth Favorite Fun Christmas Songs for Adults Little Saint Nick Santa Claus Is Coming Tow Town Jingle Bell Rock Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Run Rudolph Run Sleigh Ride I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Baby, It’s Cold Outside We Wish You A Merry Christmas Santa Baby Over The River And Through The Woods Rock and Roll Christmas Deck the Halls Sleigh Ride Happy Holidays Jolly Old Saint Nickolas Most Beautiful Christmas Songs To Listen To White Christmas The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting) The Little Drummer Boy All I Want For Christmas Is You Silent Night It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Do You Hear What I Hear There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays Mistletoe and Holly Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Blue Christmas Sleigh Ride Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow I’ll Be Home For Christmas Silver Bells Feliz Navidad Oh Holy Night Do You Hear What I Hear Michael Buble Christmas TV Special From You Tube All Time Best Selling Christmas Songs I also show their all time rank based on any single song of any type ever recorded: 1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby 1942 (Ranks #1 all time) 2. Silent Night – Bing Crosby 1935 (Ranks $3 all time) 3. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey 1994 (Ranks #10 all time) 4. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry 1949 (Ranks #15 all time) 5. Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid 1984 (Ranks #19 all time) 6. Jingle Bells – Bing Crosby/Andrew Sisters 1943 (Ranks #74 all time) 7. The Little Drummer Boy – Harry Simeone Chorale 1958 (Ranks #81 all time) You Tube Video Of Some All Time Favorite Christmas Songs Lyrics To My Favorite Christmas Songs (Alphabetical Order) All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth lyrics - All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth. Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth, then I could wish you “Merry Christmas”. All I Want For Christmas Is You lyrics - I don’t want a lot for Christmas. There’s just one thing I need. I don’t care about presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you. Away In A Manger lyrics- Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay. the little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. Baby It’s Cold Outside lyrics - I really can’t stay baby it’s cold outside. I’ve got to go away, baby it’s cold outside. Blue Christmas lyrics - I’ll have a blue Christmas without you. I’ll be so blue just thinking about you. Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree. Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me. You’ll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white. But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas. Deck The Halls lyrics – Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel. Fa la la la la la la la. Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol. Fa la la la la, la la la la. Do You Hear What I Hear lyrics – Said the king to the people everywhere. Listen to what I say. Pray for peace, people everywhere. Listen to what I say. The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night. He will bring us goodness and light. He will bring us goodness and light. Feliz Navidad lyrics – Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, prospero ano y felicidad. I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas. I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas. I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heart. Frosty The Snowman lyrics – Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul, with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made of coal. Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say. He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen lyrics – God rest ye merry, gentlemen let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy. Happy Holidays lyrics - Happy holiday, happy holiday, happy holiday. While the merry bells keep ringing, may your ev’ry wish come true. May the calendar keep bringing happy holidays to you. Hark. The Herald Angels Sing lyrics – Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth and mercy mild. God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumphs of the skies. With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark, the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas lyrics – Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on our troubles will be out of sight. Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Make the Yule-tide gay. From now on our troubles will be miles away. Here Comes Santa Claus lyrics – Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane. Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer pullin’ on the reins. Bells are ringin’, children singin’. All is merry and bright. Hang your stockings and say your prayers cause Santa Claus comes tonight. Holly Jolly Christmas lyrics – Have a holly jolly Christmas. It’s the best time of the year. Well I don’t know if there’ll be snow but have a cup of cheer. O Holy Night lyrics – O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. Home For The Holidays lyrics – Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays. ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam. When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day lyrics – I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words report, of peace on earth, good will to men. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus lyrics – I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night. She didn’t see me creep down the stairs to have a peak. She thought I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas lyrics - It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, ev’rywhere you go. Take a look I the five and ten, glistening once again with candy canes and silver lanes aglow. I’ll Be Home For Christmas lyrics – I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me, where the love light gleams. I’ll be home for Christmas. If only in my dreams. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year lyrics – It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear lyrics – It came upon the midnight clear. That glorious song of old. From angels bending near the Earth to tough their harps of gold. Peace on the Earth, goodwill to men from heaven’s all gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Jingle Bell Rock lyrics – Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bells swing n jingle bells ring. Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun. Now the jingle hop has begun… Mix and a mingle in the jingling beat, that’s the jingle bell, that’s the jingle bell, that’s the jingle bell rock. Jingle Bells lyrics – Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. O’er the fields we go laughing all the way. Making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas lyrics – Jolly old Saint Nicholas lean your ear this way. Don’t you tell a single soul what I’m going to say. Christmas eve is coming soon now you dear old man. Whisper what you’ll bring to me. Tell me if you can… Joy To The World lyrics – Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing. Let It Snow lyrics – Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve no place to go let it snow, let it snow, let it snow… The fire is slowly dying and my dear we’re still good bye-ing. But as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Little Drummer Boy lyrics – Come they told me pa rum pum pum pum. A new born King to see pa rum pum pum pum. Our finest gifts we bring pa rum pum pum pum. To lay before the King pa rum pum pum pum. Rum pum pum pum. Rum pum pum. So to honor Him pa rum pum pum pum when we come. Mistletoe and Holly lyrics – Oh by gosh by golly, it’s time for mistletoe and holly. Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents, Countryside covered with snow. Oh by gosh by jingle, it’s time for carols and Kris Kringle. Mr. Grinch lyrics – You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel. Mr Grinch you’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel. O Come, All Ye Faithful lyrics – O Come All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of Angles. O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. O Little Town of Bethlehem lyrics – O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above the deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Over The River And Through The Woods lyrics – Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through white and drifted snow. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree lyrics – Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop. Mistletoe hung where you can see, every couple tries to stop. Rocking around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring. Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie and we’ll do some caroling. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer lyrics – You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would say it glows. All the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph, play in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say. Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight. Then all the reindeer loved him. And they shouted out with glee. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town lyrics – You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list and checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. Silent Night lyrics – Silent night, holy night, all is cam, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silver Bells lyrics – City sidewalk, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing meeting smile after smile. And on every street corner you’ll hear. Silver bells, silver bells, in Christmas time in the city. Ring-a-ling hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day. The Christmas Song lyrics – Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping on your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright. Tiny tops with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight. The First Noel lyrics – The first Noel the Angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep. On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel. The Twelve Days of Christmas lyrics – On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me. Two turtle doves and partridge in a pear tree… Three Kings of Orient lyrics – We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, morr and mountain following yonder star. O star of wonder star of might. Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading still proceeding guide us to the perfect light. Up On The Housetop lyrics – Up on the housetop reindeer pause. Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down thru the chimney with lots of toys. All for the little ones Christmas Joys. Ho, Ho, Ho who wouldn’t go. Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn’t go. Up on the housetop click, click, click. Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick. We Wish You A Merry Christmas lyrics – We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Good tidings to you and all of your kin. Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. White Christmas lyrics – I’m dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glitzen and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and all your Christmases be white. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white. Some Of The Best Selling Christmas Singles By Year: 2004 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Wizards in Winter” 2003 – Michael Buble – “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” 2000 – Faith Hill – “Where Are You Christmas” 1998 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christmas Canon” 1996 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christman Eve/ Sarajevo” 1995 – Adam Sandler – The Chanukah Song” 1994 – Mariah Carey – “All I Want For Christmas Is You” 1981 – Bruce Springsteen – “Santa Claus is Comin to Town” 1971 – John Lennon – “Happy Xmas (war is over)” 1970 – Jose Feliciano – “Feliz Navidad” 1966 – Thurl Ravenscroft – “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” 1964 – Burl Ives – “A Holly Jolly Christmas” 1963 – Andy Williams – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of The Year” 1963 – Beach Boys – “Little Saint Nick” 1959 – Dean Martin – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” 1958 – Alvin and the Chipmunks – “The Chipmunk Song” 1958 – Brenda Lee – “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” 1957 – Bobby Helms – “Jingle Bell Rock” 1957 – Elvis Presley – “Blue Christmas” 1953 – Eartha Kitt – “Santa Baby” 1952 – Jimmy Boyd – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” 1950 – Gene Autry – “Frosty the Snowman” 1949 – Gene Autry – “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” 1948 – Spike Jones – “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” 1947 – Gene Autry – “Here Comes Santa Claus” 1946 – Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song” also in 1954 1944 – Frank Sinatra – “White Christmas” 1943 – Bing Crosby – “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” 1943 – Bing Crosby – “Jingle Bells” 1942 – Bing Crosby – “White Christmas” 1935 – Bing Crosby – “Silent Night” References: Christmas Carols Christmas Carol Lyrics Lyrics Mode Christmas Songs Image from www.flickr.com {Jerry}

How hard could it be to choose your favorite Christmas songs? I was watching the NBC Today Show this week when they flashed a list of the top Christmas songs on their Orange room screen. Eureka, I could write a holiday post about my favorite top 10 or top 100 Christmas songs. Little did I realize how hard it would be.

First, am I picking the top classic songs, or most popular, or favorite artists this year or most downloaded on iTunes, Spotify, or Billboard? Next am I picking my favorite singer? Almost anything sung this year by Michael Buble seems to hit the top lists. Do I include kids songs into these favorites?

So here are my choices but I warn you that I could change my mind. Also I am showing my age a little in generally choosing the classic singers.

I thought I would include some partial lyrics for these popular songs further below. I am adding some you tube video of classic songs and singers. Hope you enjoy.

My Favorite Religious Themed Christmas Songs

Silent Night
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
O Tannenbaum
Joy to the World
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Oh Holy Night
Little Drummer Boy
Away in a Manger
The First Noel
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Do You Hear What I Hear
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Favorite Fun Christmas Songs for Kids

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Frosty The Snowman
The Chipmunk Song
Snoopy’s Christmas
Jingle Bells
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Up On The Housetop
Here Comes Santa Claus
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

Favorite Fun Christmas Songs for Adults

Little Saint Nick
Santa Claus Is Coming Tow Town
Jingle Bell Rock
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
Run Rudolph Run
Sleigh Ride
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Santa Baby
Over The River And Through The Woods
Rock and Roll Christmas
Deck the Halls
Sleigh Ride
Happy Holidays
Jolly Old Saint Nickolas

Most Beautiful Christmas Songs To Listen To

White Christmas
The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting)
The Little Drummer Boy
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Silent Night
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Do You Hear What I Hear
There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays
Mistletoe and Holly
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Blue Christmas
Sleigh Ride
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Silver Bells
Feliz Navidad
Oh Holy Night
Do You Hear What I Hear

Michael Buble Christmas TV Special From You Tube

All Time Best Selling Christmas Songs

I also show their all time rank based on any single song of any type ever recorded:

Lyrics To My Favorite Christmas Songs (Alphabetical Order)

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth lyrics - All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth. Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth, then I could wish you “Merry Christmas”.

All I Want For ChristmasIs You lyrics - I don’t want a lot for Christmas. There’s just one thing I need. I don’t care about presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you.

Away In A Manger lyrics- Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay. the little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

Blue Christmas lyrics - I’ll have a blue Christmas without you. I’ll be so blue just thinking about you. Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree. Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me. You’ll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white. But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas.

Do You Hear What I Hear lyrics – Said the king to the people everywhere. Listen to what I say. Pray for peace, people everywhere. Listen to what I say. The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night. He will bring us goodness and light. He will bring us goodness and light.

Frosty The Snowman lyrics – Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul, with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made of coal. Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say. He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen lyrics – God rest ye merry, gentlemen let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.

Hark. The Herald Angels Sing lyrics – Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth and mercy mild. God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumphs of the skies. With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark, the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas lyrics – Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on our troubles will be out of sight. Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Make the Yule-tide gay. From now on our troubles will be miles away.

Holly Jolly Christmas lyrics – Have a holly jolly Christmas. It’s the best time of the year. Well I don’t know if there’ll be snow but have a cup of cheer.

O Holy Night lyrics – O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.

Home For The Holidays lyrics – Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays. ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam. When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day lyrics – I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words report, of peace on earth, good will to men.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus lyrics – I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night. She didn’t see me creep down the stairs to have a peak. She thought I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas lyrics - It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, ev’rywhere you go. Take a look I the five and ten, glistening once again with candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas lyrics – I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me, where the love light gleams. I’ll be home for Christmas. If only in my dreams.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year lyrics – It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clearlyrics – It came upon the midnight clear. That glorious song of old. From angels bending near the Earth to tough their harps of gold. Peace on the Earth, goodwill to men from heaven’s all gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Jingle Bells lyrics – Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. O’er the fields we go laughing all the way. Making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholaslyrics – Jolly old Saint Nicholas lean your ear this way. Don’t you tell a single soul what I’m going to say. Christmas eve is coming soon now you dear old man. Whisper what you’ll bring to me. Tell me if you can…

Joy To The World lyrics – Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing.

Let It Snow lyrics – Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve no place to go let it snow, let it snow, let it snow… The fire is slowly dying and my dear we’re still good bye-ing. But as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Mistletoe and Holly lyrics – Oh by gosh by golly, it’s time for mistletoe and holly. Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents, Countryside covered with snow. Oh by gosh by jingle, it’s time for carols and Kris Kringle.

Mr. Grinch lyrics – You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel. Mr Grinch you’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel.

O Little Town of Bethlehem lyrics – O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above the deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Over The River And Through The Woods lyrics – Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through white and drifted snow.

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree lyrics – Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop. Mistletoe hung where you can see, every couple tries to stop. Rocking around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring. Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie and we’ll do some caroling.

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer lyrics – You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would say it glows. All the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph, play in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say. Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight. Then all the reindeer loved him. And they shouted out with glee. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town lyrics – You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list and checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.

Silver Bells lyrics – City sidewalk, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing meeting smile after smile. And on every street corner you’ll hear. Silver bells, silver bells, in Christmas time in the city. Ring-a-ling hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day.

The Christmas Song lyrics – Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping on your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright. Tiny tops with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight.

The First Noellyrics – The first Noel the Angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep. On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel.

The Twelve Days of Christmas lyrics – On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me. Two turtle doves and partridge in a pear tree…

Three Kings of Orient lyrics – We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, morr and mountain following yonder star. O star of wonder star of might. Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading still proceeding guide us to the perfect light.

Up On The Housetop lyrics – Up on the housetop reindeer pause. Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down thru the chimney with lots of toys. All for the little ones Christmas Joys. Ho, Ho, Ho who wouldn’t go. Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn’t go. Up on the housetop click, click, click. Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas lyrics – We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Good tidings to you and all of your kin. Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

White Christmas lyrics – I’m dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glitzen and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and all your Christmases be white. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.

]]>0Funtober Ranks America’s Top 100 Haunted Houses 2014http://www.funtober.com/funtober-ranks-americas-top-100-haunted-houses-2014/
http://www.funtober.com/funtober-ranks-americas-top-100-haunted-houses-2014/#commentsSat, 01 Nov 2014 03:31:05 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=36876 What are the most popular haunted houses in the country? Funtober ranks the top 100 for 2014 who combined have more than 4 million Facebook likes. We use the term haunted houses loosely as many are a combination of haunted houses, haunted mazes, haunted trails, and various prisons, circuses, forests, woods, ships and more. The most popular haunted attractions continued to be the two Universal attractions called Halloween Horror Nights and the Cutting Edge attraction in Fort Worth, Texas. The top haunt had nearly 700,000 likes while it took over 11,600 likes to make it onto our top 100 list. Check out our breakdown of Halloween Haunts: 1: Our most popular 10 haunted attractions in North America (2014). 2: Top 100 attractions (2014) broken out by each individual state. 3: Details on the Top 10 Haunted Houses. The Most Popular Top 10 Haunted Attractions In America 1. Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood - Hollywood, CA – Ranked #1 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in California. More than 694,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #1 – 2013) 2. Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando - Orlando, FL – Ranked #2 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 406,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #2 – 2013) 3. Cutting Edge - Fort Worth, TX – Ranked #3 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 140,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #3 – 2013) 4. Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL – Ranked #4 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #5 – 2013) 5. Netherworld - Atlanta, GA – Ranked #5 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #6 – 2013) 6. Knott’s Scary Farm - Buena Park, CA – Ranked #6 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in California. More than 118,100 likes on Facebook. 7. 13th Floor - San Antonio, TX - Ranked #7 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 96,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #12 – 2013) 8. The House of Torment - Austin, TX – Ranked #8 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 85,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #10 – 2013) 9. 13th Floor - Denver, CO – Ranked #9 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 83,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #13 – 2013) 10. Fright Dome - Las Vegas, NV – Ranked #10 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Nevada. More than 81,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #8 – 2013) States With Top 100 Haunted Houses Alabama Sloss Fright Furnace - Birmingham, AL – Ranked #36 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 33,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #29 – 2013) Warehouse 31 - Pelham, AL – Ranked #39 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 31,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #38 – 2013) Atrox Factory - Leeds, AL- Ranked #53 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 23,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #46- 2013) Arx Mortis - Killen, AL – Ranked #88 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 14,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #79 – 2013) Arizona 13th Floor - Phoenix, AZ – Ranked #13 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Arizona. More than 74,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #18 – 2013) Fear Farm - Phoenix, AZ – Ranked #24 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Arizona. More than 48,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #28 – 2013) California Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood - Hollywood, CA – Ranked #1 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in California. More than 694,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #1 – 2013) Knott’s Scary Farm - Buena Park, CA – Ranked #6 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in California. More than 118,100 likes on Facebook. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride - Los Angeles, CA – Ranked #43 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt California. More than 30,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #41 – 2013) Talladega Frights - Bakersfield, CA – Ranked #75 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in California. More than 16,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #94 – 2013) Colorado 13th Floor - Denver, CO – Ranked #9 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 83,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #13 – 2013) The Asylum - Denver, CO – Ranked #42 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 30,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #55 – 2013) Haunted Field of Screams - Thornton, CO – Ranked #58 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 21,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #64 – 2013) The Frightmare Compound - Denver, CO – Ranked #65 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 19,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #49 – 2013) Connecticut Trail of Terror - Wallingford, CT – Ranked #54 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Connecticut. More than 22,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #45 – 2013) Delaware Frightland - Middletown, DE – Ranked #34 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Delaware. More than 33,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #93 – 2013) Florida Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando - Orlando, FL – Ranked #2 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 406,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #2 – 2013) Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL – Ranked #4 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #5 – 2013) House of Horror - Miami, FL - Ranked #52 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 23,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #40 – 2013) Georgia Netherworld - Atlanta, GA – Ranked #5 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #6 – 2013) Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse - Atlanta, GA – Ranked #50 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 24,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #43 – 2013) Haunted Montrose - Montrose, GA – Ranked #76 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 16,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #61 – 2013) Plantation Blood - Augusta, GA – Ranked #91 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 14,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #73 – 2013) Idaho Haunted Mansion of Albion - Albion, ID – Ranked #70 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Idaho. More than 17,500 likes on Facebook. Illinois Statesville Haunted Prison - Crest Hill, IL – Ranked #14 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 71,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #16 – 2013) Massacre - Naperville, IL – Ranked #15 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 70,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #20 – 2013 Basement of the Dead - Aurora, IL – Ranked #33 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 34,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #67 – 2013) Indiana Fear Fair - Seymour, IN – Ranked #67 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Indiana. More than 18,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #74 – 2013) Kansas Field of Screams - Maize, KS – Ranked #92 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Kansas. More than 13,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #85 – 2013) Kentucky Asylum Haunted Scream Park - Louisville, KY – Ranked #45 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 28,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #35 – 2013) Waverly Hills - Louisville, KY – Ranked #49 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 27,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #65 – 2013) USS Nightmare - Newport, KY – Ranked #55 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 21, 700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #54 – 2013) Danger Run - Louisville, KY – Ranked #99 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 12,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #86 – 2013) Louisiana The 13th Gate - Baton Rouge, LA – Ranked #11 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 81,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #11 – 2013) House of Shock - Jefferson, LA – Ranked #83 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 15,200 likes on Facebook. Mortuary - New Orleans, LA – Ranked #89 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 14,400 likes on Facebook. Maryland Field of Screams - Olney, MD – Ranked #37 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 32,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #81 – 2013) Legends of the Fog - Aberdeen, MD – Ranked #71 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 17,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #63 – 2013) Barrett’s Haunted Mansion - Abington, MD – Ranked #77 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 16,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #56 – 2013) Massachusetts Factory of Terror - Falls River, MA – Ranked #18 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Massachusetts. More than 66,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #9 – 2013) Michigan The Haunt - Walker, MI – Ranked #30 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 37,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #25 – 2013 Niles Haunted House Scream Park - Niles, MI – Ranked #66 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 19,261 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #4 – 2013) Erebus - Pontiac, MI – Ranked #84 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 15,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #76 – 2013) Minnesota Dead End Hayride - Wyoming, MN – Ranked #26 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Minnesota. More than 48,000 likes on Facebook. Nebraska Mystery Manor - Omaha, NE – Ranked #81 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Nebraska. More than 15,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #90 – 2013) Nevada Fright Dome - Las Vegas, NV – Ranked #10 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Nevada. More than 81,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #8 – 2013) New Hampshire Spooky World Nightmare New England - Litchfield, NH – Ranked #21 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in New Hampshire. More than 56,300 likes on Facebook. New York Headless Horseman - Ulster Park, NY – Ranked #22 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in New York. More than 54,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #26 – 2013) Frightworld - Buffalo, NY – Ranked #44 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in New York. More than 29,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #30 – 2013) House of Horrors & Haunted Catacombs - Cheektowaga, NY – Ranked #46 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in New York. More than 28,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #36 – 2013) Final Fear - Blasdell, NY – Ranked #48 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in New York. More than 27,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #31 – 2013) Bayville Scream Park - Long Island, NY – Ranked #50 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in New York. More than 25,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #58 – 2013) Pure Terror Screampark - Monroe, NY – Ranked #51 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in New York. More than 23,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #63 – 2013) Blood Manor - New York, NY - Ranked #59 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in New York. More than 21,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #52 – 2013) Talon Falls - Hickory, NY – Ranked #60 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in New York. More than 20,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #66 – 2013) Blackout - New York City, NY – Ranked #63 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in New York. More than 19,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #78 – 2013) Nightmare: New York - New York City, NY – Ranked #100 haunted attraction in the country and #10 Top Haunt in New York. More than 11,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #97 – 2013) North Carolina Spookywoods - Archdale, NC - Ranked #41 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in North Carolina. More than 30,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #33 – 2013) Woods of Terror - Greensboro, NC – Ranked #47 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in North Carolina. More than 27,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #34 – 2013) Ohio The Fear Experience - Parma, OH – Ranked #12 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 75,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #14 – 2013) Factory of Terror - Canton, OH – Ranked #16 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 66,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #19 – 2013) 7 Floors of Hell - Middleburg Heights, OH – Ranked #19 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 63,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #50 – 2013) Haunted Hoochie - Pataskala, OH – Ranked #20 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 60,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #23 – 2013) Land of Illusion - Middletown, OH – Ranked #27 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 43,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #32 – 2013) Dent Schoolhouse - Cincinnati, OH – Ranked #35 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 33,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #44 – 2013) Oklahoma The Sanctuary - Oklahoma City, OK – Ranked #64 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 19,600 likes on Facebook. Hex House - Tulsa, OK – Ranked #69 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 18,600 likes on Facebook. Castle of Muskogee - Muskogee, OK – Ranked #73 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 17,100 likes on Facebook. Oregon 13th Door - Beaverton, OR – Ranked #93 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Oregon. More than 13,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #82 – 2013) House of Shadows - Gresham, OR – Ranked #95 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Oregon. More than 12,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #84 – 2013) Pennsylvania The Scarehouse - Etna, PA – Ranked #17 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 66,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #17 – 2013) Field of Screams - Mountville, PA – Ranked #29 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 42,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #27 – 2013) Shocktoberfest - Sinking Springs, PA – Ranked #31 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 37,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #37 – 2013) Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, PA – Ranked #32 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 36,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #42 – 2013) Pennhurst Asylum - Spring City, PA – Ranked #56 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 21,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #60 – 2013) Bates Motel - Glen Mills, PA – Ranked #57 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 21,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #53- 2013) Fright Farm - Smithfield, PA – Ranked #72 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 17,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #77 – 2013) Jason’s Woods - Lancaster, PA - Ranked #78 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 16,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #70 – 2013) Demon House - Monongahela, PA – Ranked #80 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 15,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #68 – 2013) Hundred Acres Manor - Pittsburgh, PA – Ranked #82 haunted attraction in the country and #10 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 15,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #91 – 2013) Rhode Island Field of Screams - West Greenwich, RI – Ranked #98 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Rhode Island. More than 12,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #72 – 2013) South Carolina Scream Acres - Bishopsville, SC – Ranked #61 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in South Carolina. More than 20,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #47 – 2013) Tennessee Frightmare Manor - Talbot, TN – Ranked #38 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 31,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #48 – 2013) Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern - Chattanooga, TN – Ranked #87 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 14,800 likes on Facebook. Dead Man’s Farm - Lenoir City, TN – Ranked #90 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 14,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #88 – 2013) Texas Cutting Edge - Fort Worth, TX – Ranked #3 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 140,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #3 – 2013) 13th Floor - San Antonio, TX - Ranked #7 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 96,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #12 – 2013) The House of Torment - Austin, TX – Ranked #8 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 85,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #10 – 2013) Thrillvania - Terrell, TX – Ranked #25 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 48,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #24 – 2013) Screamworld - Houston, TX – Ranked #28 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 43,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #21 – 2013) Fright Night - Corpus Christi, TX – Ranked #68 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 18,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #59 – 2013) Boneyard - Arlington, TX – Ranked #74 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 16,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #75 – 2013) 6th Street Massacre - Amarillo, TX - Ranked # 79 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 16,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #71 – 2013) Nightmare on the Bayou - Houston, TX – Ranked #86 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 14,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #57 – 2013) Utah Nightmare on 13th - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #23 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 49,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #22 – 2013) Fear Factory - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #40 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 31,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #39 – 2013) Castle of Chaos - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #62 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 20,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #51 – 2013) Strangling Brothers - Draper, Utah – Ranked #97 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 12,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #96 – 2013) Virginia Scaremare - Lynchburg, VA – Ranked #85 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Virginia. More than 14,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #80 – 2013) Wisconsin Terror on the Fox - Green Bay, WI – Ranked #94 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Wisconsin. More than 13,200 likes on Facebook. Burial Chamber - Neenah, WI – Ranked #96 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Wisconsin. More than 12,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #98 – 2013) Funtober 2014 Top 10 Haunted Attraction Details: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California Once again Universal Studios runs the Halloween Horror Nights attractions now in its 15th year. Explore some of the haunted houses and attractions in the theme park. Tickets online for Horror Nights and park admission are as low as $69. Don’t miss attractions Walking Dead, Evil Dead, Insidious, Black Sabbath, El Cucuy, or Universal Monsters. Daytime park admission is separate. Night time hours are generally 7:00 pm until 2:00 am. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood the #1 Haunted House in California. Dates Open in 2014: September 19, 20, 26, 27 October 3-5, 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30, 31 November 1, 2 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL Universal Orlando operates their Halloween attraction for a record 28 nights in 2014. The attraction opens on September 19th. Ticket prices are as low as $41.99 with a day time ticket purchase or $95.99 for a single night purchase. We recommend you explore and buy your tickets online. Many types of park discounts are available in the area. Don’t miss any of the 8 haunted houses including The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, or Resident Evil. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights the #1 Haunted House in Florida. Dates Open 2014: September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 November 1 Cutting Edge Haunted house, 1701 E. Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Guinness marked Cutting Edge Haunted House as the “World’s Largest Walk Through Haunted House”. The dark attraction is filled with terrifying live characters, amazing special effects, and incredible monsters. Tickets are $29.95. How long does it take to go through Cutting Edge? The answer is how fast can you run. Actually it takes about 55 minutes to go through this haunt. Cutting Edge opens for a sneak peak on August 30th. Regualar hours the doors open at 7 pm or 8 pm and runs until 10 pm or midnight. Check their schedule for details. Voted one of the best attractions anywhere. It is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country. Funtober names Cutting Edge the #1 Haunted House in Texas. Dates Open in 2014: August 30 September 6, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 November 1, 2 Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens – 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, Florida Another Florida theme park favorite is Busch Gardens Tampa. They have run this Halloween event for over 14 years. HowlOScream runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning September 26th. The times are 7:30 pm until 1 am. Event is always a fan favorite for both locals and tourists. Tickets start at $45 and go up to $65 based on the date. Check their website for the full range of prices, discounts, and online options. Busch Gardens has a full range of scream attractions including The Basement, Death Water Bayou, Circus of Superstition, Blood Asylum, Dead Fall, Zombie Mortuary, The Experiment, and Ultimate Gamble. Dates Open in 2014: September 26, 27 October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 November 1 Netherworld Haunted House - 6624 Dawson Blvd., Norcross, Georgia Netherworld in Atlanta just might be the best haunted house in Georgia if not the country. Each year it seems to just get better with new scenes, sets, and screams. This years theme is The Season Of The Witch in the main haunt attraction followed by the basement show SPLICED. It takes about one hour to go through Netherworld not counting for the long wait lines. Netherworld Haunted House is open beginning the weekend of September 26th from 7 pm to 11 pm. It runs Monday through Thursdays are from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Friday and Saturday nights the attraction runs 7 pm to midnight. Tickets are vary based on the attraction, combos, and night of the week. Basic tickets start at $22. Be aware of the horrific plot to punish all of mankind that went awry. Try to survive the giant bugs, wasps, spiders, and maggots. These places are beyond scary. Funtober names Netherworld the #1 Haunted House in Georgia. Dates Open 2014: September 26, 27 October 3-31 November 1, 2, 7, 8 Knott’s Scary Farm - 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, California Now part of Cedar Fair this Halloween event continues its forty year history of quality family entertainment. The Scary Farm in the month of October generates so much activity it is responsible for nearly half the annual revenue for the whole park. The theme is Nowhere to Hide and once you are inside the park the mazes, shows, rides, actors, and haunts really bring the scares to you. It features 14 mazes and six Halloween shows. It is one of the largest Halloween events in the country. Read our article on the Funtober blog about Knott’s Scary Farm. Dates Open 2014: September 25, 26, 27 October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 November 1 The 13th Floor - 1203 E. Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205 Two haunted houses at one location and for one low price. The 13th Floor says they are the longest and largest haunted attraction in San Antonio. Warning the event may be too intense. Ever wonder why the 13th floor is missing in so many buildings. The two haunts are Groudup and Dwellings of the Dead. Tickets are $24.99. Doors open at 7 pm. This is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country. Dates Open in 2014: September 19, 20, 26, 27, 28 October 2-5, 9-12, 15-19, 21-26, 27-31 November 1, 2, 7, 8 The House of Torment - 523 Highland Mall Blvd., Austin, Texas 78152 Now with more than 10 years of haunting the House of Torment has 3 haunted attractions for the price of one. Tickets are $28.99. It has long been recognized as one of America’s top haunted attractions. Featured haunted houses include Cursed, The Awakening, and The Slaughterhouse. Most Friday and Saturday nights have music, DJ, live radio broadcast, and undead dancers. House of Torment is open more than 30 dates during September, October, and November. Call (512) 407 9449 for details. Generally it is open every Friday and Saturday night from September 19th. Most Friday and Saturdays open 7 pm until midnight. Most other dates open 7:30 until 11 pm. House of Torment is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country. Dates Open in 2014: September 19, 20, 26, 27, 28 October 3, 4, 5, 9-12, 15-19, 21-26, 27-31 November 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 13th Floor Haunted House - 4120 Brighton Blvd., Denver, CO 80216 The Legendary 13th Floor Haunted House opens for the 2014 season on Friday, September 19. Depending on the night, doors open between 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm and close between 10:30 pm and Midnight. Please double check their website for official dates and times. General Admission tickets start at $25 during weeknights, $27 on Friday & Sundays, and $29 on Saturdays. Mark your calendars because they also run blackout nights on November 7th and 8th. Expect to be terrified as your worst fears come to life in the 13th Floor. The Asylum and 13th Floor are within a 3.5 mile area. You can purchase combo tickets starting at $42 that will get you into all attractions for a full evening of terror. Dates of Operation: September 19, 20, 26, 27 October 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 November 1, 2, 7, 8 Fright Dome - at Circus Circus, Las Vegas, NV Vegas went through a period where it tried to attract families to various types of entertainment. Circus Circus has basically a circus atmosphere complete with rides inside the actual hotel casino. This building is huge as you might expect from a hotel with over 3700 rooms. In October, Circus Circus for the last 10 years runs Fright Dome. The ticket price is $39.95 most nights. Discounts and promotion tickets might be available so check their website. There are six new haunted houses, 250,000 scare feet, premium rides, four scare zones, and live entertainment shows. Fright Dome is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunt attraction in the country. Dates Open 2014: October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 November 1 Some clarifications on how our list was chosen. Hope we have all our local favorites. Our list ranks haunts based on Facebook likes. Some wonderful haunts are excluded because they do not have a separate Facebook page. For example there are lots of Six Flag Fright Fests which are spectacular attractions and extremely popular. They do not have individual pages. Some of the Cedar Fair properties run great Halloween attractions without a separate page. Perhaps the most popular Halloween attractions in the country are the Disney Mickey parties in Florida and California. We also left off the new Rob Zombie attractions running in Scottsdale, Arizona and Chicago, Illinois. Haunts missing from our 2014 list. Sadly two wonderful attractions did not make this years ‘Top 100 list. Haunted Chicken House - Hollis, AL - More than 11,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #95 – 2013) The Beast and The Edge of Hell - Kansas City, MO - More than 10,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #100 – 2013) Also removed from the 2013 list is Scarefest in St. Louis, MO. It is really two separate attractions that we combines their Facebook likes on one page. They still are wildly popular with over 86,500 likes.

What are the most popular haunted houses in the country? Funtober ranks the top 100 for 2014 who combined have more than 4 million Facebook likes. We use the term haunted houses loosely as many are a combination of haunted houses, haunted mazes, haunted trails, and various prisons, circuses, forests, woods, ships and more.

The most popular haunted attractions continued to be the two Universal attractions called Halloween Horror Nights and the Cutting Edge attraction in Fort Worth, Texas. The top haunt had nearly 700,000 likes while it took over 11,600 likes to make it onto our top 100 list.

Check out our breakdown of Halloween Haunts:

1: Our most popular 10 haunted attractions in North America (2014).
2: Top 100 attractions (2014) broken out by each individual state.
3: Details on the Top 10 Haunted Houses.

States With Top 100 Haunted Houses

Alabama

Sloss Fright Furnace - Birmingham, AL – Ranked #36 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 33,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #29 – 2013)Warehouse 31 - Pelham, AL – Ranked #39 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 31,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #38 – 2013)Atrox Factory - Leeds, AL- Ranked #53 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 23,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #46- 2013)Arx Mortis - Killen, AL – Ranked #88 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Alabama. More than 14,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #79 – 2013)

Arizona

13th Floor - Phoenix, AZ – Ranked #13 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Arizona. More than 74,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #18 – 2013)Fear Farm - Phoenix, AZ – Ranked #24 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Arizona. More than 48,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #28 – 2013)

California

Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood - Hollywood, CA – Ranked #1 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in California. More than 694,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #1 – 2013)Knott’s Scary Farm - Buena Park, CA – Ranked #6 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in California. More than 118,100 likes on Facebook.Los Angeles Haunted Hayride - Los Angeles, CA – Ranked #43 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt California. More than 30,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #41 – 2013)Talladega Frights - Bakersfield, CA – Ranked #75 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in California. More than 16,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #94 – 2013)

Colorado

13th Floor - Denver, CO – Ranked #9 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 83,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #13 – 2013)The Asylum - Denver, CO – Ranked #42 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 30,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #55 – 2013)Haunted Field of Screams - Thornton, CO – Ranked #58 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 21,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #64 – 2013)The Frightmare Compound - Denver, CO – Ranked #65 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Colorado. More than 19,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #49 – 2013)

Connecticut

Trail of Terror - Wallingford, CT – Ranked #54 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Connecticut. More than 22,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #45 – 2013)

Delaware

Frightland - Middletown, DE – Ranked #34 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Delaware. More than 33,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #93 – 2013)

Florida

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando - Orlando, FL – Ranked #2 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 406,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #2 – 2013)Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL – Ranked #4 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #5 – 2013)House of Horror - Miami, FL - Ranked #52 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Florida. More than 23,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #40 – 2013)

Georgia

Netherworld - Atlanta, GA – Ranked #5 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 118,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #6 – 2013)Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse - Atlanta, GA – Ranked #50 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 24,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #43 – 2013)Haunted Montrose - Montrose, GA – Ranked #76 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 16,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #61 – 2013)Plantation Blood - Augusta, GA – Ranked #91 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Georgia. More than 14,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #73 – 2013)

Idaho

Haunted Mansion of Albion - Albion, ID – Ranked #70 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Idaho. More than 17,500 likes on Facebook.

Illinois

Statesville Haunted Prison - Crest Hill, IL – Ranked #14 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 71,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #16 – 2013)Massacre - Naperville, IL – Ranked #15 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 70,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #20 – 2013Basement of the Dead - Aurora, IL – Ranked #33 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Illinois. More than 34,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #67 – 2013)

Indiana

Fear Fair - Seymour, IN – Ranked #67 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Indiana. More than 18,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #74 – 2013)

Kansas

Field of Screams - Maize, KS – Ranked #92 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Kansas. More than 13,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #85 – 2013)

Kentucky

Asylum Haunted Scream Park - Louisville, KY – Ranked #45 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 28,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #35 – 2013)Waverly Hills - Louisville, KY – Ranked #49 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 27,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #65 – 2013)USS Nightmare - Newport, KY – Ranked #55 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 21, 700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #54 – 2013)Danger Run - Louisville, KY – Ranked #99 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Kentucky. More than 12,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #86 – 2013)

Louisiana

The 13th Gate - Baton Rouge, LA – Ranked #11 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 81,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #11 – 2013)House of Shock - Jefferson, LA – Ranked #83 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 15,200 likes on Facebook.Mortuary - New Orleans, LA – Ranked #89 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Louisiana. More than 14,400 likes on Facebook.

Maryland

Field of Screams - Olney, MD – Ranked #37 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 32,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #81 – 2013)Legends of the Fog - Aberdeen, MD – Ranked #71 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 17,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #63 – 2013)Barrett’s Haunted Mansion - Abington, MD – Ranked #77 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Maryland. More than 16,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #56 – 2013)

Massachusetts

Factory of Terror - Falls River, MA – Ranked #18 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Massachusetts. More than 66,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #9 – 2013)

Michigan

The Haunt - Walker, MI – Ranked #30 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 37,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #25 – 2013Niles Haunted House Scream Park - Niles, MI – Ranked #66 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 19,261 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #4 – 2013)Erebus - Pontiac, MI – Ranked #84 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Michigan. More than 15,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #76 – 2013)

Minnesota

Dead End Hayride - Wyoming, MN – Ranked #26 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Minnesota. More than 48,000 likes on Facebook.

Nebraska

Mystery Manor - Omaha, NE – Ranked #81 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Nebraska. More than 15,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #90 – 2013)

Nevada

Fright Dome - Las Vegas, NV – Ranked #10 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Nevada. More than 81,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #8 – 2013)

Headless Horseman - Ulster Park, NY – Ranked #22 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in New York. More than 54,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #26 – 2013)Frightworld - Buffalo, NY – Ranked #44 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in New York. More than 29,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #30 – 2013)House of Horrors & Haunted Catacombs - Cheektowaga, NY – Ranked #46 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in New York. More than 28,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #36 – 2013)Final Fear - Blasdell, NY – Ranked #48 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in New York. More than 27,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #31 – 2013)Bayville Scream Park - Long Island, NY – Ranked #50 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in New York. More than 25,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #58 – 2013)Pure Terror Screampark - Monroe, NY – Ranked #51 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in New York. More than 23,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #63 – 2013)Blood Manor - New York, NY - Ranked #59 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in New York. More than 21,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #52 – 2013)Talon Falls - Hickory, NY – Ranked #60 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in New York. More than 20,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #66 – 2013)Blackout - New York City, NY – Ranked #63 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in New York. More than 19,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #78 – 2013)Nightmare: New York - New York City, NY – Ranked #100 haunted attraction in the country and #10 Top Haunt in New York. More than 11,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #97 – 2013)

North Carolina

Spookywoods - Archdale, NC - Ranked #41 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in North Carolina. More than 30,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #33 – 2013)Woods of Terror - Greensboro, NC – Ranked #47 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in North Carolina. More than 27,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #34 – 2013)

Ohio

The Fear Experience - Parma, OH – Ranked #12 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 75,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #14 – 2013)Factory of Terror - Canton, OH – Ranked #16 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 66,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #19 – 2013)7 Floors of Hell - Middleburg Heights, OH – Ranked #19 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 63,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #50 – 2013)Haunted Hoochie - Pataskala, OH – Ranked #20 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 60,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #23 – 2013)Land of Illusion - Middletown, OH – Ranked #27 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 43,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #32 – 2013)Dent Schoolhouse - Cincinnati, OH – Ranked #35 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Ohio. More than 33,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #44 – 2013)

Oklahoma

The Sanctuary - Oklahoma City, OK – Ranked #64 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 19,600 likes on Facebook.Hex House - Tulsa, OK – Ranked #69 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 18,600 likes on Facebook.Castle of Muskogee - Muskogee, OK – Ranked #73 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Oklahoma. More than 17,100 likes on Facebook.

Oregon

13th Door - Beaverton, OR – Ranked #93 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Oregon. More than 13,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #82 – 2013)House of Shadows - Gresham, OR – Ranked #95 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Oregon. More than 12,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #84 – 2013)

Pennsylvania

The Scarehouse - Etna, PA – Ranked #17 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 66,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #17 – 2013)Field of Screams - Mountville, PA – Ranked #29 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 42,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #27 – 2013)Shocktoberfest - Sinking Springs, PA – Ranked #31 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 37,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #37 – 2013)Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, PA – Ranked #32 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 36,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #42 – 2013)Pennhurst Asylum - Spring City, PA – Ranked #56 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 21,600 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #60 – 2013)Bates Motel - Glen Mills, PA – Ranked #57 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 21,200 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #53- 2013)Fright Farm - Smithfield, PA – Ranked #72 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 17,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #77 – 2013)Jason’s Woods - Lancaster, PA - Ranked #78 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 16,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #70 – 2013)Demon House - Monongahela, PA – Ranked #80 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 15,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #68 – 2013)Hundred Acres Manor - Pittsburgh, PA – Ranked #82 haunted attraction in the country and #10 Top Haunt in Pennsylvania. More than 15,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #91 – 2013)

Rhode Island

Field of Screams - West Greenwich, RI – Ranked #98 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Rhode Island. More than 12,300 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #72 – 2013)

South Carolina

Scream Acres - Bishopsville, SC – Ranked #61 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in South Carolina. More than 20,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #47 – 2013)

Tennessee

Frightmare Manor - Talbot, TN – Ranked #38 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 31,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #48 – 2013)Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern - Chattanooga, TN – Ranked #87 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 14,800 likes on Facebook.Dead Man’s Farm - Lenoir City, TN – Ranked #90 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Tennessee. More than 14,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #88 – 2013)

Texas

Cutting Edge - Fort Worth, TX – Ranked #3 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 140,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #3 – 2013)13th Floor - San Antonio, TX - Ranked #7 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 96,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #12 – 2013)The House of Torment - Austin, TX – Ranked #8 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 85,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #10 – 2013)Thrillvania - Terrell, TX – Ranked #25 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 48,100 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #24 – 2013)Screamworld - Houston, TX – Ranked #28 haunted attraction in the country and #5 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 43,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #21 – 2013)Fright Night - Corpus Christi, TX – Ranked #68 haunted attraction in the country and #6 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 18,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #59 – 2013)Boneyard - Arlington, TX – Ranked #74 haunted attraction in the country and #7 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 16,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #75 – 2013)6th Street Massacre - Amarillo, TX - Ranked # 79 haunted attraction in the country and #8 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 16,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #71 – 2013)Nightmare on the Bayou - Houston, TX – Ranked #86 haunted attraction in the country and #9 Top Haunt in Texas. More than 14,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #57 – 2013)

Utah

Nightmare on 13th - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #23 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 49,800 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #22 – 2013)Fear Factory - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #40 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 31,400 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #39 – 2013)Castle of Chaos - Salt Lake City, Utah – Ranked #62 haunted attraction in the country and #3 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 20,000 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #51 – 2013)Strangling Brothers - Draper, Utah – Ranked #97 haunted attraction in the country and #4 Top Haunt in Utah. More than 12,500 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #96 – 2013)

Virginia

Scaremare - Lynchburg, VA – Ranked #85 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Virginia. More than 14,900 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #80 – 2013)

Wisconsin

Terror on the Fox - Green Bay, WI – Ranked #94 haunted attraction in the country and #1 Top Haunt in Wisconsin. More than 13,200 likes on Facebook.Burial Chamber - Neenah, WI – Ranked #96 haunted attraction in the country and #2 Top Haunt in Wisconsin. More than 12,700 likes on Facebook. (Ranked #98 – 2013)

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL
Universal Orlando operates their Halloween attraction for a record 28 nights in 2014. The attraction opens on September 19th. Ticket prices are as low as $41.99 with a day time ticket purchase or $95.99 for a single night purchase. We recommend you explore and buy your tickets online. Many types of park discounts are available in the area. Don’t miss any of the 8 haunted houses including The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, or Resident Evil. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights the #1 Haunted House in Florida.
Dates Open 2014:
September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31
November 1

Cutting Edge Haunted house, 1701 E. Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Guinness marked Cutting Edge Haunted House as the “World’s Largest Walk Through Haunted House”. The dark attraction is filled with terrifying live characters, amazing special effects, and incredible monsters. Tickets are $29.95. How long does it take to go through Cutting Edge? The answer is how fast can you run. Actually it takes about 55 minutes to go through this haunt. Cutting Edge opens for a sneak peak on August 30th. Regualar hours the doors open at 7 pm or 8 pm and runs until 10 pm or midnight. Check their schedule for details. Voted one of the best attractions anywhere. It is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country. Funtober names Cutting Edge the #1 Haunted House in Texas.
Dates Open in 2014:
August 30
September 6, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
November 1, 2

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens – 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, Florida
Another Florida theme park favorite is Busch Gardens Tampa. They have run this Halloween event for over 14 years. HowlOScream runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning September 26th. The times are 7:30 pm until 1 am. Event is always a fan favorite for both locals and tourists. Tickets start at $45 and go up to $65 based on the date. Check their website for the full range of prices, discounts, and online options. Busch Gardens has a full range of scream attractions including The Basement, Death Water Bayou, Circus of Superstition, Blood Asylum, Dead Fall, Zombie Mortuary, The Experiment, and Ultimate Gamble.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 26, 27
October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
November 1

Netherworld Haunted House - 6624 Dawson Blvd., Norcross, Georgia
Netherworld in Atlanta just might be the best haunted house in Georgia if not the country. Each year it seems to just get better with new scenes, sets, and screams. This years theme is The Season Of The Witch in the main haunt attraction followed by the basement show SPLICED. It takes about one hour to go through Netherworld not counting for the long wait lines. Netherworld Haunted House is open beginning the weekend of September 26th from 7 pm to 11 pm. It runs Monday through Thursdays are from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Friday and Saturday nights the attraction runs 7 pm to midnight. Tickets are vary based on the attraction, combos, and night of the week. Basic tickets start at $22. Be aware of the horrific plot to punish all of mankind that went awry. Try to survive the giant bugs, wasps, spiders, and maggots. These places are beyond scary. Funtober names Netherworld the #1 Haunted House in Georgia.
Dates Open 2014:
September 26, 27
October 3-31
November 1, 2, 7, 8

Knott’s Scary Farm - 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, California
Now part of Cedar Fair this Halloween event continues its forty year history of quality family entertainment. The Scary Farm in the month of October generates so much activity it is responsible for nearly half the annual revenue for the whole park. The theme is Nowhere to Hide and once you are inside the park the mazes, shows, rides, actors, and haunts really bring the scares to you. It features 14 mazes and six Halloween shows. It is one of the largest Halloween events in the country. Read our article on the Funtober blog about Knott’s Scary Farm.
Dates Open 2014:
September 25, 26, 27
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31
November 1

The 13th Floor - 1203 E. Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Two haunted houses at one location and for one low price. The 13th Floor says they are the longest and largest haunted attraction in San Antonio. Warning the event may be too intense. Ever wonder why the 13th floor is missing in so many buildings. The two haunts are Groudup and Dwellings of the Dead. Tickets are $24.99. Doors open at 7 pm. This is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 19, 20, 26, 27, 28
October 2-5, 9-12, 15-19, 21-26, 27-31
November 1, 2, 7, 8

The House of Torment - 523 Highland Mall Blvd., Austin, Texas 78152
Now with more than 10 years of haunting the House of Torment has 3 haunted attractions for the price of one. Tickets are $28.99. It has long been recognized as one of America’s top haunted attractions. Featured haunted houses include Cursed, The Awakening, and The Slaughterhouse. Most Friday and Saturday nights have music, DJ, live radio broadcast, and undead dancers. House of Torment is open more than 30 dates during September, October, and November. Call (512) 407 9449 for details. Generally it is open every Friday and Saturday night from September 19th. Most Friday and Saturdays open 7 pm until midnight. Most other dates open 7:30 until 11 pm. House of Torment is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunted attraction in the country.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 19, 20, 26, 27, 28
October 3, 4, 5, 9-12, 15-19, 21-26, 27-31
November 1, 2, 7, 8, 9

13th Floor Haunted House - 4120 Brighton Blvd., Denver, CO 80216
The Legendary 13th Floor Haunted House opens for the 2014 season on Friday, September 19. Depending on the night, doors open between 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm and close between 10:30 pm and Midnight. Please double check their website for official dates and times. General Admission tickets start at $25 during weeknights, $27 on Friday & Sundays, and $29 on Saturdays. Mark your calendars because they also run blackout nights on November 7th and 8th. Expect to be terrified as your worst fears come to life in the 13th Floor. The Asylum and 13th Floor are within a 3.5 mile area. You can purchase combo tickets starting at $42 that will get you into all attractions for a full evening of terror.
Dates of Operation:
September 19, 20, 26, 27
October 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
November 1, 2, 7, 8

Fright Dome - at Circus Circus, Las Vegas, NV
Vegas went through a period where it tried to attract families to various types of entertainment. Circus Circus has basically a circus atmosphere complete with rides inside the actual hotel casino. This building is huge as you might expect from a hotel with over 3700 rooms. In October, Circus Circus for the last 10 years runs Fright Dome. The ticket price is $39.95 most nights. Discounts and promotion tickets might be available so check their website. There are six new haunted houses, 250,000 scare feet, premium rides, four scare zones, and live entertainment shows. Fright Dome is a Funtober Favorite 100 and a top 100 most popular haunt attraction in the country.
Dates Open 2014:
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31
November 1

Some clarifications on how our list was chosen.

Hope we have all our local favorites. Our list ranks haunts based on Facebook likes. Some wonderful haunts are excluded because they do not have a separate Facebook page. For example there are lots of Six Flag Fright Fests which are spectacular attractions and extremely popular. They do not have individual pages. Some of the Cedar Fair properties run great Halloween attractions without a separate page.

Perhaps the most popular Halloween attractions in the country are the Disney Mickey parties in Florida and California. We also left off the new Rob Zombie attractions running in Scottsdale, Arizona and Chicago, Illinois.

Haunts missing from our 2014 list. Sadly two wonderful attractions did not make this years ‘Top 100 list.

Also removed from the 2013 list is Scarefest in St. Louis, MO. It is really two separate attractions that we combines their Facebook likes on one page. They still are wildly popular with over 86,500 likes.

]]>0“Great Halloween Fright Fight” Has Winner On ABC TVhttp://www.funtober.com/great-halloween-fright-fight-winner-abc-tv/
http://www.funtober.com/great-halloween-fright-fight-winner-abc-tv/#commentsWed, 29 Oct 2014 21:19:37 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=36973 Haunted Overload Wins The Great Halloween Fright Fight ABC TV premiered their Halloween special called The Great Halloween Fright Fight last night October 28th, 2014. The winner of the $50,000 grand prize was Haunted Overload from Lee, New Hampshire. The reality show special featured six family haunted attractions from around the country who competed based on creativity and scary fun with a neighborhood home haunt. Produced by Freemantle Media North America, six attractions were chosen from open invitations around the country. The final six made it onto The Great Halloween Fright Fight televised show last night. FMNA also produces “American Idol”, “The Price is Right”, “Ice Road Truckers”, “Storage Wars”, and a host of other broadcasts. If you watched the show you saw some awesome Halloween displays and fantastic bloody, scary, and colorful frights. All the contestants put on over the top events for the two hosts, Sabrina Soto and Michael Moloney, who toured each attraction with camera’s rolling. The six haunts that made it onto the show were: 1. Hollywood Haunter in Glendale, California. 2. Haunted Overload in Lee, New Hampshire. 3. Terror at Tee Lake in Lewiston, Michigan 4. The Pirate Ship in Celebration, Florida. 5. Mitchell’s Spider Invasion in Pensacola, Florida. 6. Haunt for the Hungry in Wharton, New Jersey. Haunted Overload walked away with the win and $50,000. Fitting for a walk through haunted trail with 3 levels of fear. If you saw the show then you were amazed with the 20 to 40 foot colorful displays and over the top scares. More than a few chain saws and scary actors really bring the fear to life. They feature a day haunt, a Fright Nite Lite haunt, and their intense fright Haunted Overload. All six attractions put on a great show for the hosts. Each attraction could have won. The shows premise was based on their wildly successful contest called “The Great Christmas Light Fright” which runs in December. I thoroughly enjoyed the show but was a little surprised to see some of the contestants. Haunted Overload is part of the Demeritt Hill Farm. Ticket prices are $22 and up for this attraction. Clearly this attraction and others would fall into our commercial haunted house classification. As such there are some tremendous haunts around the country that ABC might have considered that are on the Funtober Top 100 List for haunted attractions. However even though it blurred the lines between a home and commercial haunt the show was a great success. The one hour show drew fans from across the country who missed the action in the early innings of game six of the baseball World Series. I hope they make this an annual event. The most remarkable thing was the amazing creativity of the people who put on these great haunts. They are regular people who devote a year’s worth of work to make each October a great successful Halloween event.

Haunted Overload Wins The Great Halloween Fright Fight

ABC TV premiered their Halloween special called The Great Halloween Fright Fight last night October 28th, 2014. The winner of the $50,000 grand prize was Haunted Overload from Lee, New Hampshire. The reality show special featured six family haunted attractions from around the country who competed based on creativity and scary fun with a neighborhood home haunt.

Produced by Freemantle Media North America, six attractions were chosen from open invitations around the country. The final six made it onto The Great Halloween Fright Fight televised show last night. FMNA also produces “American Idol”, “The Price is Right”, “Ice Road Truckers”, “Storage Wars”, and a host of other broadcasts.

If you watched the show you saw some awesome Halloween displays and fantastic bloody, scary, and colorful frights. All the contestants put on over the top events for the two hosts, Sabrina Soto and Michael Moloney, who toured each attraction with camera’s rolling.

Haunted Overload walked away with the win and $50,000. Fitting for a walk through haunted trail with 3 levels of fear. If you saw the show then you were amazed with the 20 to 40 foot colorful displays and over the top scares. More than a few chain saws and scary actors really bring the fear to life. They feature a day haunt, a Fright Nite Lite haunt, and their intense fright Haunted Overload.

All six attractions put on a great show for the hosts. Each attraction could have won.

The shows premise was based on their wildly successful contest called “The Great Christmas Light Fright” which runs in December.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show but was a little surprised to see some of the contestants. Haunted Overload is part of the Demeritt Hill Farm. Ticket prices are $22 and up for this attraction. Clearly this attraction and others would fall into our commercial haunted house classification. As such there are some tremendous haunts around the country that ABC might have considered that are on the Funtober Top 100 List for haunted attractions. However even though it blurred the lines between a home and commercial haunt the show was a great success. The one hour show drew fans from across the country who missed the action in the early innings of game six of the baseball World Series.

I hope they make this an annual event. The most remarkable thing was the amazing creativity of the people who put on these great haunts. They are regular people who devote a year’s worth of work to make each October a great successful Halloween event.

]]>0The Top 28 Farms for Fall Fun in the US (2015)http://www.funtober.com/top-25-fall-farms-2014/
http://www.funtober.com/top-25-fall-farms-2014/#commentsSun, 05 Oct 2014 01:17:53 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=36678It’s the first weekend in October and, with rain in the local morning forecast, I set out to find the nation’s classic fall traditions. The farms that are packed with families willing to drive an hour because that’s where they’ve always gone. The cider mills that are cranking out the fresh apple cider and donuts that you will be hankering for every fall for the next thirty years. The locations that draw giant pumpkin farmers and guests from across the region to see who has the heaviest pumpkin. From farms which could be best characterized as amusement parks, to classic working farms and apple orchards with u-pick apples and pumpkins, to a country store with a hayride that has built a loyal following, these 25 farms, apple orchards and cider mills are favorite fall destinations for thousands of guests every year. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – Gretna, NE If you got up early this morning and headed to Vala’s, you could have had from-scratch buttermilk and pumpkin pancakes. Is there a better way to start the morning? I don’t think so! Started in 1984, it’s grown into a 212 acre fall festival that one online reviewer called the “Disneyland of Pumpkin Patches”.. Thousands of Omaha and Lincoln residents descend every fall on Gretna, population ~ 5,000, to pick out their pumpkin and have fun at the 60+ activities around the farm. That’s plenty of activities, from the Pumpkin Creek railroad to pig races and pumpkin chunkin’, to keep kids of all ages entertained. They have all your fall favorites, from hand-dipped caramel apples to warm chocolate chip cookies and pie. And true to their roots, they grow 55 acres of pumpkins and squash every year. Visit their website for more information or get the latest updates on Facebook. Davis Family Farm – Sterling, MA This seven-generation, working family farm opened its doors to visitors in 1996 and has proven a hit among families. Davis Mega Maze was named by CNN one of the 7 coolest mazes in the world! Want to get frightened before Halloween? Take on the maze during Fright Nights the last three weekends of October. Add in pick your own apples and pumpkins for those who want to enjoy fall west of Boston. For those members of your family that don’t care about farm fun, there’s outdoor activities like laser tag and a zip line to keep them occupied. If you have kids in the Boston area, take note! Davis Family Farm in Sterling (25 minutes north of Worcester) will have Anna and Elsa from Frozen there tomorrow (Sunday, October 5th). They were supposed to be there today as well for Pirate and Princess Weekend, but Mother Nature intervened and they had to close the farm. That’s farming though and part of the charm! Learn more on their website or stay up to date on Facebook. Yates Cider Mill – Rochester Hills, MI This Metro Detroit fall classic made the list even though it isn’t technically a farm. The exception is definitely warranted. Located in Rochester Hills along the Clinton River, it dates back to 1863 when it was known as Yates Grist Mill. Cider, donuts and a stroll along the river are the staples that have been bringing families back for years. In recent years, they’ve added a petting zoo, pony rides and diversified the food and bakery selection. They’ve been making cider for Michiganders for more than 100 years. Want to give it a try? You can order online and they will ship it! Check out their website or get the latest updates on Facebook. Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm – Homer Glen, IL If you are going to spend a full day on the farm, you need fantastic food to keep your energy up. And Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm doesn’t disappoint, with Uncle Bub’s cooking up its award winning, Food Network featured, bbq for guests of the farm in October. The eats & treats, which will include apple cider donuts in 2014 because of customer demand, aren’t the only reason to visit their pumpkinfest just 45 minutes outside Chicago. The farm fun includes a three acre corn maze, simulated cow milking, pig races, petting zoo, hayrides and even a mega slide. The farm has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years. Visit their website to learn more or follow them on Facebook. Burt’s Pumpkin Farm – Dawsonville, GA Thousands of Atlanta residents make the one hour trek into the North Georgia mountains in the fall and stop in Dawsonville, population 619, to buy their pumpkin and baked goods from this 50+ acre pumpkin farm and country store. Unfortunately, they don’t allow you to pick your own from the field (they are prepicked in the barnyard), but you can still enjoy a hayride daily in October. Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast at a drop of 729 feet, is around the corner. And make it a day by continuing on to Buck’s Corn Maze, a 12 acre cornfield also located in Dawsonville. Keep your eyes open on the drive to Burt’s too, because you’ll be able to see 30 acres of sunflowers in bloom. For additional information, visit their website or Facebook. The Great Pumpkin Farm – Clarence, NY Want to see a bunch of giant pumpkins? Then The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY is for you. This weekend, on October 5th, they will have the World Pumpkin Weigh-Off that will pay $10,000 for a world record pumpkin. Last year, there were seven pumpkins weighing over 1,000 pounds! According to Wikipedia, the population of Clarence, located 30 minutes northeast of downtown Buffalo, was 30,624 in the 2010 census. The Facebook page for this farm, however, has more than 40,000 likes. As a law school graduate, my math skills have always been suspect. But even I can tell you that means the place is popular. With fun competitions like the Pumpkin Olympics, Trebuchet Contest, and a Costume Contest taking place on the weekends, there’s probably a reason. A corn maze, petting zoo, hayride, haunted house and amusement rides also await your family’s visit. Their website says they have a zillion pumpkins. I’m not sure that I believe them, but the pyramid of pumpkins looks frighteningly big. There is a $5 per person admission on weekends with an additional cost for individual attractions. If only they had a pick-your-own patch and made their own cider! Oh well. Did I mention they have a lot of big pumpkins? Visit their website to learn more or get updates on Facebook. County Line Orchard – Hobart, Indiana Forty acres of apple trees for pick your own apples less than an hour southeast of downtown Chicago? Now that’s worth crossing state lines for! Wagon rides, corn maze, barnyard tunes, and a bakery making 10,000 donuts every day add to the appeal of this Indiana apple orchard. You know how you know the donuts are pretty good? There are only two varieties listed on their website: an apple spiced donut dusted in cinnamon and sugar or a pumpkin spiced donut glazed with pumpkin frosting. They both sound delicious and definitely worthy of their billing as “something of a local legend.” They even have u-pick pumpkins in the field. Their website has additional information or get updates on Facebook. Tanners Orchard – Speer, IL Thirty minutes north of Peoria, you can catch a covered wagon ride out to a 11,000 tree u-pick apple orchard and 20 acre pumpkin patch. Family owned and operated since 1947, they’ve also got a corn maze, farm animals, bakery and Back 40 Fun Acres. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook. Mapleside Farms – Brunswick, OH Who has the largest jumping pillow in Ohio? America’s Longest Slide at 311 feet? Why, Pumpkin Village at Mapleside Farms south of Cleveland. But these probably aren’t its best features. It received top honors from Choose Outdoors as “America’s Most Beautiful Farm”. Adults can enjoy a drink at the Cider House bar, select a few bottles at the Wine Loft, or enjoy a rustic dining experience at the Orchard House. Kids will enjoy the best Playground in Cleveland according to Cleveland Scene Magazine. As if you needed more reasons to swing by this fall, they also have a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides. And they finish the season off in November with pumpkin smash weekend. Visit their website or Facebook to learn more. Orr Family Farm – Oklahoma City, OK This farm in Southwest OKC has been a tradition in Oklahoma for many years. They spent nearly $2 million last year to rebuild the farm after much of it was destroyed by a May 2013 tornado – so show them some love! They’ve de-mangled the carousel, replanted the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, and even got a Spookley the Square pumpkin corn maze for kids (and adults) to enjoy.It was voted by Metro Family readers (an Oklahoma City parenting magazine) as the best pumpkin patch in its 2014 family favorites competition. Save the farm from the undead with zombie apocalypse paintball in the evening, too. Visit their website for additional information or stay up to date by following them on Facebook. Tougas Family Farm – Northborough, MA USA Today named Tougas one of the top 10 pick your own apple orchards in the nation a few years back. Prefer pumpkin picking, playgrounds, barnyard animals and farm baked goods to apple picking? They have these staples of fall farm fun too! The farm has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years, since it was purchased by owners Maurice and Phyllis Tougas in 1981. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date about what’s going on at their Facebook page. Johnson’s Corner Farm – Medford, NJ Pumpkin ice cream, apple cider slush and a day on a farm? Sign me up. Johnson’s Corner Farm lies east of Cherry Hill in the Greater Philadelphia region. They have hayrides, apple picking and a pumpkin patch. Started as a flat wagon selling produce on the corner of Church and Hartford Roads in the 1950s. It has grown into a farm market and u-pick area that is loved by families every fall. Their website has additional info or check them out on Facebook. Cox Farms – Centreville, VA USA Today called Cox Farms one of the country’s coolest pumpkin patches this year. And there’s a reason. Located just west of Fairfax in Northern Virginia, it’s one of the closest agritainment experiences to Washington, D.C. residents. Hayrides, farm animals, cider, donuts and caramel apples? Yep, they have all the fall festival favorites. Want to do a moonlit hayride, get scared in the cornfield or tackle the torch-lit giant slide? You can do that too at their Fields of Fear. Get the details on their website or Facebook page. Dewberry Farm – Brookshire, TX Have you ever taken a stroll past 500 lit jack-o-lanterns? You can do that in the Pumpkin Hollar at Dewberry Farms, a 100 acre farm located west of Houston established in 2002. There’s an 8 acre corn maze, children’s play area and country store with baked goods and “straight from the hive” unpasteurized honey from their own bees. A one mile train ride and pedal karts are two more of the 35+ activities. This year, they’ve added eight restored antique windmills. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on their Facebook page. Apple Annie’s Orchard – Willcox, AZ Every year, thousands of Arizona residents pile into the car to make the one hour road trip east of Tucson, through the beautiful Southern Arizona countryside, to one of the best u-pick apple orchards and fruit farms in the Southwest United States. Willcox, population 3700, is home to 25+ year old family farming operation of John and Annie Holcomb known as Apple Annie’s Orchard. The fruits and vegetables may be the draw, but the food gets rave reviews as well. All-You-Can-Eat pancake breakfast on weekend mornings? Sign me up! Pick a pumpkin out of the huge pumpkin patch or get lost in the corn maze with three levels of difficulty to ensure that it’s perfect for your family. Check out their website to learn more or follow them on Facebook to stay up to date. Shady Brook Farm – Yardley, PA This farm northeast of Philadelphia was founded more than 100 years ago and is now being run by the fourth generation of the Fleming family. It has been named one of the top 10 pumpkin patches in America by MSN and one of the top 13 scream parks by Haunt World. Start in the morning at PumpkinFest, where you can pick your own pumpkin, get lost in their corn maze, take a wagon ride and enjoy other farm fun. Stay for the evening with HorrorFest or PumpkinFest in the Dark. There’s four haunted attractions at this Bucks County farm. Get scared at the Hayride of Horror, Barn of Horror, Carnage Corn Maze and 3-D Alien Encounter. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date with what’s happening on the farm via Facebook. Uncle John’s Cider Mill – Saint John’s, MI Enjoy fresh cider and homemade donuts thirty minutes north of Lansing at Uncle John’s, a fifth generation family farm. In an old cattle barn converted into a cider press, their cider is made the old fashioned way, with no additives, preservatives, or pasteurization. They also have a five acre corn maze, PYO pumpkin patch, wagon rides and kid’s play area. While you are there, be sure to stop by their tasting room for wine and hard cider, which has received rave reviews online. Visit their website or Facebook page for additional information. Pumpkinville – Great Valley, NY Most popular farms sit a short drive outside a major city. Pumpkinville is located in Great Valley, NY, population 1,947. Great Valley, before you check your map, is one hour south of Buffalo and 90 miles east of Erie, NY. But if you make the drive to this 200 acre farm in the hills of Western NY, you get the opportunity to visit New York’s oldest continuously operating working pumpkin farm. Open every single day in October – you have 31 chances to visit Pumpkinville. Enjoy the fresh milled cider from their 120 year old cider press. Find your way through the six acre corn maze. Take a helicopter ride on weekends to view the beautiful fall colors. Or enjoy the rest that the farm has to offer, and pick up a pumpkin to take home and carve. Did I mention that you can get in free and only pay per activity or buy an all day activity wristband? Sounds like it’s time to make a trip to Great Valley! Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook. Jackson’s Orchard – Bowling Green, KY An hour north of Nashville in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the land for this 105 acre farm has been producing apples for over 100 years. It has been owned by Bill and Shirley Jackson for nearly 50 years. This year, they’ve decided to allow pick-your-own apples in addition to their classic u-pick pumpkins, corn maze, hayride and other fall fun. The pumpkin festival is on weekends for the month of October. No admission fees to get in and no parking fees? Don’t miss it if you are in the area! Get more details on their website or learn more on Facebook. McCall’s Pumpkin Patch – Moriarty, NM Growing up in Michigan, I always imagined that the Southwest United States was a bit of a barren desert without camels. Not true! As I came to find out when I started Funtober, there’s fall farm fun to be had across the country. One shining example is McCall’s. This pick your own pumpkin patch located thirty minutes east of Albuquerque rivals the popular ones of the Midwest. Take a hayride to the patch. Get lost in their 16 acre corn maze. And take your kids down the Wee Wild West for fun. At night, it gets pretty scary. McCall’s transforms into a haunted farm with three terrifying attractions – a haunted cornfield, barn and zombie hunt. The people of Albuquerque must love it because the website warns of three or four hour wait times on their busiest nights! It opens on Friday, so get your tickets. Visit their website for additional details or support them on Facebook. Curtis Orchard – Champaign, IL When you are in the mood for cider and donuts in central Illinois, there’s a place in Champaign that will more than satisfy your craving. They are only 15 minutes from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a quick 2 hour drive from Indianapolis and Chicago. With a u-pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch, you’ll be able to burn off some of the calories from their bakery. They aren’t organic, but say they are as close as possible for the region. They’ve reduced their pesticide usage over the past 15 years. Hopefully, additional advancements will lead to pesticide-free techniques to control the few pests which they still must spray for when they show up. The Curtis family has been living in the area since 1873, watching the land transform from prairie to farmland to apple orchard. Paul and Joyce Curtis planted their first apple tree here in 1977. The orchard is now owned by their daughter Debbie and her husband, Randy Graham. Visit their website to learn more or get updates about the farm on Facebook. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm – Wheatland, CA There’s tons of worthy farms in California – but this is the one that made the list this year! It’s a favorite of teachers for school trips on weekdays and families on the weekend. Online reviews indicate that almost everyone has been coming here for years. For 2014, they’ve made a bunch of improvements. They added a carousel! There’s a new space dedicated to chocolate chip cookies called Babe’s Cookieactory. And they recognized that the lines at the bakery can get long – so they are now offering online pre-ordering so that they will be ready for your arrival. They still have the classics that have made them so popular. Friday and Saturday pig races in October at the Porko Arena. A corn maze that highlights deserving local charities. Hayrides to the 72 acres of pumpkin fields. And enough delicious food and baked goods to feed an entire farm of people! It is located just north of Sacramento. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook. Triple B Farms – Monongahela, PA Just 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh, there’s a pick-your-own farm offering the ability to pick fruit from May through October. Starting the year with strawberries and raspberries, they offer apple and pumpkin picking on weekends in September and October. They have the standard farm fare of course, with hayrides, farm animals and a playground for kids. But they offer so much more. This weekend, for $20 (with RSVP), they are offering Build-Your-Own Scarecrow with everything included for just $20. It’s also Spookley, the Square Pumpkin Weekend (October 4th & 5th)! Take a walk through Storybook Pumpkinland, with 250 pumpkin-headed characters from nursery rhymes and children’s, too. We’re sure they have more fun planned for the rest of October if you can’t make it this weekend, when it will be action-packed! Learn more on their website or get updates on Facebook. Edwards Apple Orchard (Poplar Grove, IL) and Edwards Orchard West (Winnebago, IL) Edwards Apple Orchard is a family owned orchard in Poplar Grove. Edwards West is the smaller, Winnebago location that has been operating since 1990. They are situated on opposite sides of Rockford, two hours northwest of Chicago With fresh pressed apple cider, cider donuts, apple and pumpkin picking, it doesn’t have the same amusement park atmosphere that has become popular with some farms as they have grown. To learn more about Edwards West, visit their website or stay up to date on their Facebook page. UPDATE As soon as I hit publish, someone pointed out that I missed an amazing farm. And when I looked back at it, they were right. A quick search revealed two other orchards just like it. So here are the four that should have been included on the first pass of the list. Linvilla Orchards - Media, PA. One of my personal farm favorites is this huge activity farm located near Philadelphia. They have both pick your own and farm store fruits and vegetables. While they do not have a true in the field pumpkin patch you will find more pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in one place than just about anywhere else on earth. I visited last October and there were close to a thousand cars in their various parking lots. They had perhaps 20 concession stands, a garden center store, ice cream shop, bakery, and all that is before you get to the farm fun. They have everything for the family in The Barnyard and Playland Playground areas. Take a train ride, enjoy mini golf, take a pony ride, explore The Planet museum. Their big event is Pumpkinland which runs from the second weekend in September through around November 7th. It is full of pumpkins, apple picking, decorations, toys, corn mazes, hayrides, and huge crowds of people. I am missing so much but let me say this is the one place you do not want to miss. Their address is 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063. It is about 21 miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia near Chester. Mercier Orchards – Blue Ridge, GA A fourth generation family owned and operated apple orchard now offering pick your own apples. Get updates on their Facebook page or learn more on their website. Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, CT This central Connecticut farm was started in 1741 by John and Hope Lyman. Now in its ninth generation of the Lyman family, it is now known for its PYO apples and pumpkins as well as its baked pies. Check out their website and Facebook page. Cornbelly’s – Lehi, UT – 12 Acres – 3 Mazes 2014 Theme: The Wizard of Oz – 75th anniversary Open for the 2014 Season from October 3rd until Nov 1. Closed Sundays. General admission is $9.95-11.95 which includes all non-haunted attractions. This is the corn maze of Brett and Nicole Herbst, who have been cutting at farms across the country under the name of their company, The Maize. Past themes have featured Rivals Forever: Utah vs BYU (2013),Vote 2012 – Pick Your Prez! (2012) and Exploring Space (2011). Their original location at American Fork was the largest in the Western United States at one time. At night, there is a separate haunted maze and other haunted attractions here. Screamn’ tickets are $19.95. There’s lots of other fall fun here, including pig races, slides, a pumpkin courtyard, zip line and cow train. Feel free to let me know if I’ve missed other amazing farms!

It’s the first weekend in October and, with rain in the local morning forecast, I set out to find the nation’s classic fall traditions. The farms that are packed with families willing to drive an hour because that’s where they’ve always gone. The cider mills that are cranking out the fresh apple cider and donuts that you will be hankering for every fall for the next thirty years. The locations that draw giant pumpkin farmers and guests from across the region to see who has the heaviest pumpkin.

From farms which could be best characterized as amusement parks, to classic working farms and apple orchards with u-pick apples and pumpkins, to a country store with a hayride that has built a loyal following, these 25 farms, apple orchards and cider mills are favorite fall destinations for thousands of guests every year.

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – Gretna, NE
If you got up early this morning and headed to Vala’s, you could have had from-scratch buttermilk and pumpkin pancakes. Is there a better way to start the morning? I don’t think so! Started in 1984, it’s grown into a 212 acre fall festival that one online reviewer called the “Disneyland of Pumpkin Patches”.. Thousands of Omaha and Lincoln residents descend every fall on Gretna, population ~ 5,000, to pick out their pumpkin and have fun at the 60+ activities around the farm. That’s plenty of activities, from the Pumpkin Creek railroad to pig races and pumpkin chunkin’, to keep kids of all ages entertained. They have all your fall favorites, from hand-dipped caramel apples to warm chocolate chip cookies and pie. And true to their roots, they grow 55 acres of pumpkins and squash every year. Visit their website for more information or get the latest updates on Facebook.

Davis Family Farm – Sterling, MA
This seven-generation, working family farm opened its doors to visitors in 1996 and has proven a hit among families. Davis Mega Maze was named by CNN one of the 7 coolest mazes in the world! Want to get frightened before Halloween? Take on the maze during Fright Nights the last three weekends of October. Add in pick your own apples and pumpkins for those who want to enjoy fall west of Boston. For those members of your family that don’t care about farm fun, there’s outdoor activities like laser tag and a zip line to keep them occupied. If you have kids in the Boston area, take note! Davis Family Farm in Sterling (25 minutes north of Worcester) will have Anna and Elsa from Frozen there tomorrow (Sunday, October 5th). They were supposed to be there today as well for Pirate and Princess Weekend, but Mother Nature intervened and they had to close the farm. That’s farming though and part of the charm! Learn more on their website or stay up to date on Facebook.

Yates Cider Mill – Rochester Hills, MI
This Metro Detroit fall classic made the list even though it isn’t technically a farm. The exception is definitely warranted. Located in Rochester Hills along the Clinton River, it dates back to 1863 when it was known as Yates Grist Mill. Cider, donuts and a stroll along the river are the staples that have been bringing families back for years. In recent years, they’ve added a petting zoo, pony rides and diversified the food and bakery selection. They’ve been making cider for Michiganders for more than 100 years. Want to give it a try? You can order online and they will ship it! Check out their website or get the latest updates on Facebook.

Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm – Homer Glen, IL
If you are going to spend a full day on the farm, you need fantastic food to keep your energy up. And Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm doesn’t disappoint, with Uncle Bub’s cooking up its award winning, Food Network featured, bbq for guests of the farm in October. The eats & treats, which will include apple cider donuts in 2014 because of customer demand, aren’t the only reason to visit their pumpkinfest just 45 minutes outside Chicago. The farm fun includes a three acre corn maze, simulated cow milking, pig races, petting zoo, hayrides and even a mega slide. The farm has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years. Visit their website to learn more or follow them on Facebook.

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm – Dawsonville, GA
Thousands of Atlanta residents make the one hour trek into the North Georgia mountains in the fall and stop in Dawsonville, population 619, to buy their pumpkin and baked goods from this 50+ acre pumpkin farm and country store. Unfortunately, they don’t allow you to pick your own from the field (they are prepicked in the barnyard), but you can still enjoy a hayride daily in October. Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast at a drop of 729 feet, is around the corner. And make it a day by continuing on to Buck’s Corn Maze, a 12 acre cornfield also located in Dawsonville. Keep your eyes open on the drive to Burt’s too, because you’ll be able to see 30 acres of sunflowers in bloom. For additional information, visit their website or Facebook.

The Great Pumpkin Farm – Clarence, NY
Want to see a bunch of giant pumpkins? Then The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY is for you. This weekend, on October 5th, they will have the World Pumpkin Weigh-Off that will pay $10,000 for a world record pumpkin. Last year, there were seven pumpkins weighing over 1,000 pounds! According to Wikipedia, the population of Clarence, located 30 minutes northeast of downtown Buffalo, was 30,624 in the 2010 census. The Facebook page for this farm, however, has more than 40,000 likes. As a law school graduate, my math skills have always been suspect. But even I can tell you that means the place is popular. With fun competitions like the Pumpkin Olympics, Trebuchet Contest, and a Costume Contest taking place on the weekends, there’s probably a reason. A corn maze, petting zoo, hayride, haunted house and amusement rides also await your family’s visit. Their website says they have a zillion pumpkins. I’m not sure that I believe them, but the pyramid of pumpkins looks frighteningly big. There is a $5 per person admission on weekends with an additional cost for individual attractions. If only they had a pick-your-own patch and made their own cider! Oh well. Did I mention they have a lot of big pumpkins? Visit their website to learn more or get updates on Facebook.

County Line Orchard – Hobart, Indiana
Forty acres of apple trees for pick your own apples less than an hour southeast of downtown Chicago? Now that’s worth crossing state lines for! Wagon rides, corn maze, barnyard tunes, and a bakery making 10,000 donuts every day add to the appeal of this Indiana apple orchard. You know how you know the donuts are pretty good? There are only two varieties listed on their website: an apple spiced donut dusted in cinnamon and sugar or a pumpkin spiced donut glazed with pumpkin frosting. They both sound delicious and definitely worthy of their billing as “something of a local legend.” They even have u-pick pumpkins in the field. Their website has additional information or get updates on Facebook.

Tanners Orchard – Speer, IL
Thirty minutes north of Peoria, you can catch a covered wagon ride out to a 11,000 tree u-pick apple orchard and 20 acre pumpkin patch. Family owned and operated since 1947, they’ve also got a corn maze, farm animals, bakery and Back 40 Fun Acres. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook.

Mapleside Farms – Brunswick, OH
Who has the largest jumping pillow in Ohio? America’s Longest Slide at 311 feet? Why, Pumpkin Village at Mapleside Farms south of Cleveland. But these probably aren’t its best features. It received top honors from Choose Outdoors as “America’s Most Beautiful Farm”. Adults can enjoy a drink at the Cider House bar, select a few bottles at the Wine Loft, or enjoy a rustic dining experience at the Orchard House. Kids will enjoy the best Playground in Cleveland according to Cleveland Scene Magazine. As if you needed more reasons to swing by this fall, they also have a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides. And they finish the season off in November with pumpkin smash weekend. Visit their website or Facebook to learn more.

Orr Family Farm – Oklahoma City, OK
This farm in Southwest OKC has been a tradition in Oklahoma for many years. They spent nearly $2 million last year to rebuild the farm after much of it was destroyed by a May 2013 tornado – so show them some love! They’ve de-mangled the carousel, replanted the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, and even got a Spookley the Square pumpkin corn maze for kids (and adults) to enjoy.It was voted by Metro Family readers (an Oklahoma City parenting magazine) as the best pumpkin patch in its 2014 family favorites competition. Save the farm from the undead with zombie apocalypse paintball in the evening, too. Visit their website for additional information or stay up to date by following them on Facebook.

Tougas Family Farm – Northborough, MA
USA Today named Tougas one of the top 10 pick your own apple orchards in the nation a few years back. Prefer pumpkin picking, playgrounds, barnyard animals and farm baked goods to apple picking? They have these staples of fall farm fun too! The farm has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years, since it was purchased by owners Maurice and Phyllis Tougas in 1981. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date about what’s going on at their Facebook page.

Johnson’s Corner Farm – Medford, NJ
Pumpkin ice cream, apple cider slush and a day on a farm? Sign me up. Johnson’s Corner Farm lies east of Cherry Hill in the Greater Philadelphia region. They have hayrides, apple picking and a pumpkin patch. Started as a flat wagon selling produce on the corner of Church and Hartford Roads in the 1950s. It has grown into a farm market and u-pick area that is loved by families every fall. Their website has additional info or check them out on Facebook.

Cox Farms – Centreville, VA
USA Today called Cox Farms one of the country’s coolest pumpkin patches this year. And there’s a reason. Located just west of Fairfax in Northern Virginia, it’s one of the closest agritainment experiences to Washington, D.C. residents. Hayrides, farm animals, cider, donuts and caramel apples? Yep, they have all the fall festival favorites. Want to do a moonlit hayride, get scared in the cornfield or tackle the torch-lit giant slide? You can do that too at their Fields of Fear. Get the details on their website or Facebook page.

Dewberry Farm – Brookshire, TX
Have you ever taken a stroll past 500 lit jack-o-lanterns? You can do that in the Pumpkin Hollar at Dewberry Farms, a 100 acre farm located west of Houston established in 2002. There’s an 8 acre corn maze, children’s play area and country store with baked goods and “straight from the hive” unpasteurized honey from their own bees. A one mile train ride and pedal karts are two more of the 35+ activities. This year, they’ve added eight restored antique windmills. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on their Facebook page.

Apple Annie’s Orchard – Willcox, AZ
Every year, thousands of Arizona residents pile into the car to make the one hour road trip east of Tucson, through the beautiful Southern Arizona countryside, to one of the best u-pick apple orchards and fruit farms in the Southwest United States. Willcox, population 3700, is home to 25+ year old family farming operation of John and Annie Holcomb known as Apple Annie’s Orchard. The fruits and vegetables may be the draw, but the food gets rave reviews as well. All-You-Can-Eat pancake breakfast on weekend mornings? Sign me up! Pick a pumpkin out of the huge pumpkin patch or get lost in the corn maze with three levels of difficulty to ensure that it’s perfect for your family. Check out their website to learn more or follow them on Facebook to stay up to date.

Shady Brook Farm – Yardley, PA
This farm northeast of Philadelphia was founded more than 100 years ago and is now being run by the fourth generation of the Fleming family. It has been named one of the top 10 pumpkin patches in America by MSN and one of the top 13 scream parks by Haunt World. Start in the morning at PumpkinFest, where you can pick your own pumpkin, get lost in their corn maze, take a wagon ride and enjoy other farm fun. Stay for the evening with HorrorFest or PumpkinFest in the Dark. There’s four haunted attractions at this Bucks County farm. Get scared at the Hayride of Horror, Barn of Horror, Carnage Corn Maze and 3-D Alien Encounter. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date with what’s happening on the farm via Facebook.

Uncle John’s Cider Mill – Saint John’s, MI
Enjoy fresh cider and homemade donuts thirty minutes north of Lansing at Uncle John’s, a fifth generation family farm. In an old cattle barn converted into a cider press, their cider is made the old fashioned way, with no additives, preservatives, or pasteurization. They also have a five acre corn maze, PYO pumpkin patch, wagon rides and kid’s play area. While you are there, be sure to stop by their tasting room for wine and hard cider, which has received rave reviews online. Visit their website or Facebook page for additional information.

Pumpkinville – Great Valley, NY
Most popular farms sit a short drive outside a major city. Pumpkinville is located in Great Valley, NY, population 1,947. Great Valley, before you check your map, is one hour south of Buffalo and 90 miles east of Erie, NY. But if you make the drive to this 200 acre farm in the hills of Western NY, you get the opportunity to visit New York’s oldest continuously operating working pumpkin farm. Open every single day in October – you have 31 chances to visit Pumpkinville. Enjoy the fresh milled cider from their 120 year old cider press. Find your way through the six acre corn maze. Take a helicopter ride on weekends to view the beautiful fall colors. Or enjoy the rest that the farm has to offer, and pick up a pumpkin to take home and carve. Did I mention that you can get in free and only pay per activity or buy an all day activity wristband? Sounds like it’s time to make a trip to Great Valley! Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook.

Jackson’s Orchard – Bowling Green, KY
An hour north of Nashville in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the land for this 105 acre farm has been producing apples for over 100 years. It has been owned by Bill and Shirley Jackson for nearly 50 years. This year, they’ve decided to allow pick-your-own apples in addition to their classic u-pick pumpkins, corn maze, hayride and other fall fun. The pumpkin festival is on weekends for the month of October. No admission fees to get in and no parking fees? Don’t miss it if you are in the area! Get more details on their website or learn more on Facebook.

McCall’s Pumpkin Patch – Moriarty, NM
Growing up in Michigan, I always imagined that the Southwest United States was a bit of a barren desert without camels. Not true! As I came to find out when I started Funtober, there’s fall farm fun to be had across the country. One shining example is McCall’s. This pick your own pumpkin patch located thirty minutes east of Albuquerque rivals the popular ones of the Midwest. Take a hayride to the patch. Get lost in their 16 acre corn maze. And take your kids down the Wee Wild West for fun. At night, it gets pretty scary. McCall’s transforms into a haunted farm with three terrifying attractions – a haunted cornfield, barn and zombie hunt. The people of Albuquerque must love it because the website warns of three or four hour wait times on their busiest nights! It opens on Friday, so get your tickets. Visit their website for additional details or support them on Facebook.

Curtis Orchard – Champaign, IL
When you are in the mood for cider and donuts in central Illinois, there’s a place in Champaign that will more than satisfy your craving. They are only 15 minutes from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a quick 2 hour drive from Indianapolis and Chicago. With a u-pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch, you’ll be able to burn off some of the calories from their bakery. They aren’t organic, but say they are as close as possible for the region. They’ve reduced their pesticide usage over the past 15 years. Hopefully, additional advancements will lead to pesticide-free techniques to control the few pests which they still must spray for when they show up. The Curtis family has been living in the area since 1873, watching the land transform from prairie to farmland to apple orchard. Paul and Joyce Curtis planted their first apple tree here in 1977. The orchard is now owned by their daughter Debbie and her husband, Randy Graham. Visit their website to learn more or get updates about the farm on Facebook.

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm – Wheatland, CA
There’s tons of worthy farms in California – but this is the one that made the list this year! It’s a favorite of teachers for school trips on weekdays and families on the weekend. Online reviews indicate that almost everyone has been coming here for years. For 2014, they’ve made a bunch of improvements. They added a carousel! There’s a new space dedicated to chocolate chip cookies called Babe’s Cookieactory. And they recognized that the lines at the bakery can get long – so they are now offering online pre-ordering so that they will be ready for your arrival. They still have the classics that have made them so popular. Friday and Saturday pig races in October at the Porko Arena. A corn maze that highlights deserving local charities. Hayrides to the 72 acres of pumpkin fields. And enough delicious food and baked goods to feed an entire farm of people! It is located just north of Sacramento. Visit their website to learn more or stay up to date on Facebook.

Triple B Farms – Monongahela, PA
Just 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh, there’s a pick-your-own farm offering the ability to pick fruit from May through October. Starting the year with strawberries and raspberries, they offer apple and pumpkin picking on weekends in September and October. They have the standard farm fare of course, with hayrides, farm animals and a playground for kids. But they offer so much more. This weekend, for $20 (with RSVP), they are offering Build-Your-Own Scarecrow with everything included for just $20. It’s also Spookley, the Square Pumpkin Weekend (October 4th & 5th)! Take a walk through Storybook Pumpkinland, with 250 pumpkin-headed characters from nursery rhymes and children’s, too. We’re sure they have more fun planned for the rest of October if you can’t make it this weekend, when it will be action-packed! Learn more on their website or get updates on Facebook.

Edwards Apple Orchard (Poplar Grove, IL) and Edwards Orchard West (Winnebago, IL)
Edwards Apple Orchard is a family owned orchard in Poplar Grove. Edwards West is the smaller, Winnebago location that has been operating since 1990. They are situated on opposite sides of Rockford, two hours northwest of Chicago With fresh pressed apple cider, cider donuts, apple and pumpkin picking, it doesn’t have the same amusement park atmosphere that has become popular with some farms as they have grown. To learn more about Edwards West, visit their website or stay up to date on their Facebook page.

UPDATE

As soon as I hit publish, someone pointed out that I missed an amazing farm. And when I looked back at it, they were right. A quick search revealed two other orchards just like it. So here are the four that should have been included on the first pass of the list.

Linvilla Orchards - Media, PA. One of my personal farm favorites is this huge activity farm located near Philadelphia. They have both pick your own and farm store fruits and vegetables. While they do not have a true in the field pumpkin patch you will find more pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in one place than just about anywhere else on earth. I visited last October and there were close to a thousand cars in their various parking lots. They had perhaps 20 concession stands, a garden center store, ice cream shop, bakery, and all that is before you get to the farm fun. They have everything for the family in The Barnyard and Playland Playground areas. Take a train ride, enjoy mini golf, take a pony ride, explore The Planet museum. Their big event is Pumpkinland which runs from the second weekend in September through around November 7th. It is full of pumpkins, apple picking, decorations, toys, corn mazes, hayrides, and huge crowds of people. I am missing so much but let me say this is the one place you do not want to miss. Their address is 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063. It is about 21 miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia near Chester.

Mercier Orchards – Blue Ridge, GA
A fourth generation family owned and operated apple orchard now offering pick your own apples. Get updates on their Facebook page or learn more on their website.

Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, CT
This central Connecticut farm was started in 1741 by John and Hope Lyman. Now in its ninth generation of the Lyman family, it is now known for its PYO apples and pumpkins as well as its baked pies. Check out their website and Facebook page.

Cornbelly’s – Lehi, UT – 12 Acres – 3 Mazes
2014 Theme: The Wizard of Oz – 75th anniversary
Open for the 2014 Season from October 3rd until Nov 1. Closed Sundays. General admission is $9.95-11.95 which includes all non-haunted attractions. This is the corn maze of Brett and Nicole Herbst, who have been cutting at farms across the country under the name of their company, The Maize. Past themes have featured Rivals Forever: Utah vs BYU (2013),Vote 2012 – Pick Your Prez! (2012) and Exploring Space (2011). Their original location at American Fork was the largest in the Western United States at one time. At night, there is a separate haunted maze and other haunted attractions here. Screamn’ tickets are $19.95. There’s lots of other fall fun here, including pig races, slides, a pumpkin courtyard, zip line and cow train.

]]>7Top Halloween Events At Amusement Parks in Americahttp://www.funtober.com/top-halloween-events-amusement-parks-america/
http://www.funtober.com/top-halloween-events-amusement-parks-america/#commentsWed, 01 Oct 2014 20:06:59 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=36423Here are some of the top amusement parks in the country with Halloween events. Our number one attraction is Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando. They continue to pour money into this fall attraction with scary scenes from the Walking Dead, Predator, Alien and so many more. However you don’t have to do to Disney, Universal, or Florida to take advantage of these extra special events. All across America there are Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and popular local parks with terrific Halloween activities. Some have great rides while others go all out on music and fun. Most makeover their park for the Halloween season. Some like Universal go all out for a really scary event meant only for adults. Others have scare free zones ideal for children. If you are looking for an hour of fun try your local haunted house. If you are looking for an entire evening of fun then these just might do the trick. They cost more but it is hard to beat the entertainment value. Amusement Parks By State With Our Favorite Halloween Events. California Great America’s Halloween Haunt - 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054 The amusement park Great America operates a Halloween haunt on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning September 26th. The haunt runs from 7 pm to midnight. The regular park is open Saturday and Sunday in October from 10 am to 5:30 pm. There are several days and nights that are family friendly including Snoopy’s Trick or Treating. Check website advance ticket prices. Dates Open 2014: September 26, 27 October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 31 November 1 Knott’s Scary Farm - 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, California Now part of Cedar Fair this Halloween event continues its forty year history of quality family entertainment. The Scary Farm in the month of October generates so much activity it is responsible for nearly half the annual revenue for the whole park. The theme is Nowhere to Hide and once you are inside the park the mazes, shows, rides, actors, and haunts really bring the scares to you. It features 14 mazes and six Halloween shows. It is one of the largest Halloween events in the country. Read our article on the Funtober blog about Knott’s Scary Farm. Dates Open 2014: September 25, 26, 27 October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 November 1 Halloween Time At Disneyland – Anaheim, California Disney has an actual event called Halloween Time that runs daily from September 12th through October 31st, 2014. The park has been converted into a not scary but beautifully displayed Halloween theme. You get all the Disney rides both day and night except for the 13 nights that are reserved for Mickey’s Halloween Party. Both are lots of fun for the kids and adults alike. We have written a tips article about Halloween Time , a Guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and we have another article comparing the Mickey’s Party in California with that party in Orlando. Check them out for lots of information. Dates Open 2014: September 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 October 1-31 Mickey’s Halloween Party - A themed event at Disneyland during Halloween Time. Dates Open 2014: September 26, 30 October 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California Once again Universal Studios runs the Halloween Horror Nights attractions now in its 14th year. Explore some of the haunted houses and attractions in the theme park. Tickets online for Horror Nights and park admission are as low as $69. Don’t miss attractions Walking Dead, Evil Dead, Insidious, Black Sabbath, El Cucuy, or Universal Monsters. Daytime park admission is separate. Night time hours are generally 7 pm until 2 am. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood the #1 Haunted House in California. Colorado Elitch Gardens Fright Fest – 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, Colorado 80204 Elitch Fright Fest consists of four haunted houses located on the grounds of the Elitch Gardens theme park. Elitch is family by day and fright by night. It is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in October. The park has a science lab that works with radioactive materials. Test creatures have escaped and are roaming the grounds. Save money on Elitch Gardens tickets and buy online for around $34. The attractions include Ghouls motel, Scream it out, Trick or Treat trail, Vulture, Hay Maze, Hurl, The Awakening, and Freak Show. They also have three very scary attractions called Flesh Factory, Terror Chamber, and Séance for a separate Fright pass for $15 per person. Dates Open 2014: October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Connecticut The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce - 822 Lake Ave, Bristol, CT 06010 The Haunted Graveyard is a full entertainment experience at the amusement park Lake Compounce. It has been open for 13 years. The Haunted Graveyard runs Friday and Saturday nights from dusk to midnight every weekend in October and until 10:00 pm on Sunday nights. The attraction is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from October 4th through October 27th. The ticket price to the haunted house is $22.99. Lake Compounce has a full assortment of amusement rides. The ticket price is $22.99. You can get a combo ticket for both the rides and haunted house for $29.99. Military and group discounts are available. There are 17 dark rides during this event. Also expect to find werewolves, spiders, vampires, witches, demons, and the Grim Reaper among the many attractions at the Haunted Graveyard. The assortment of attractions includes Reapers Realm, Cemetery, Slaughter House, Cornfield, Bat Cave, Zombie Forest, Jungle, Mayan Temple, Dungeon, Fear of Death, and The Mist. Dates Open 2014: October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1 Florida Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL Universal Orlando operates their Halloween attraction for a record 28 nights in 2014. The attraction opens on September 19th. Ticket prices are as low as $41.99 with a day time ticket purchase or $95.99 for a single night purchase. We recommend you explore and buy your tickets online. Many types of park discounts are available in the area. Don’t miss any of the 8 haunted houses including The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, or Resident Evil. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights the #1 Haunted House in Florida. Dates Open 2014: September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 November 1 Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens – 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, Florida Another Florida theme park favorite is Busch Gardens Tampa. They have run this Halloween event for over 14 years. HowlOScream runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning September 26th. The times are 7:30 pm until 1 am. Event is always a fan favorite for both locals and tourists. Tickets start at $45 and go up to $65 based on the date. Check their website for the full range of prices, discounts, and online options. Busch Gardens has a full range of scream attractions including The Basement, Death Water Bayou, Circus of Superstition, Blood Asylum, Dead Fall, Zombie Mortuary, The Experiment, and Ultimate Gamble. Dates Open in 2014: September 26, 27 October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 November 1 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Disney World, Orlando, Florida Disney World operates a night time Halloween experience called Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It is a separate hard ticket priced between $58 to $77 dollars. It features the Hallpy HallowWishes Firesworks and two Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parades each night. This is one of the best non-scary events in the world. You can find all the popular Disney characters in the park on these nights. Trick or Treat your way around the park. Lots of rides, fun, entertainment, and of course the Haunted Mansion. The entire park is decorated for Halloween. Dates Open in 2014: September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 Georgia Six Flags Fright Fest - 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, Ga 30168. Fright Fest is one of the largest haunted attractions in the country. They convert Six Flags into a full Halloween haunt with lots of scare attractions and entertainment. Entertainment includes Dr. Fright’s Dead Man’s Party, and Grouchy Griswold Insult Comic. Fearful Frights include Dr. Fright’s Frightorium, Freak Show, Monster Graveyard, Hidden Horror, ZX-1, Cemetery of the Undead, Asylum, The Last Ride and many more. Also many of Six Flags great rides have been re-themed and operating during Fright Fest. Save money and buy your tickets online. Dates Open in 2014: September 27, 28 October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Illinois Six Flags Fright Fest - Gurnee, IL Great America is one of the Six Flags theme parks located in Gurnee, Illinois about half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. Each October the park re-opens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as the ultimate Halloween attraction Fright Fest. It has 5 haunted houses, mazes, shows, midway, food, and lots and lots of rides. They have renamed some of their roller coasters with Halloween themes but others are just too great to change. So if you are into thrills both the haunted houses and roller coasters will put a scare into you. Spend the day, get there early, and bring lots of money. Great America really makes the park a Halloween attractions and has lots of employee-actors dressed to surprise and scare you. Take your entire family, friends, and that special date. Good times will be had by all. Recommended Reading: 5 Travel Tips Six Flags Fright Fest Illinois. Dates Open 2014: September 27, 28 October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 November 1, 2 Indiana Happy Halloween Weekends – Holiday World Theme Park – Santa Claus, IN Did I mention they open the park at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday from September 20 – October 26, 2014 for their Happy Halloween Weekends theme. Holiday World is decorated for Halloween and includes two amazing corn mazes, hayrides, a 3D Theater presentation, Halloween candy, pumpkins, a Mummy’s Treasure Maze, and stage shows including Graveyard Smash. During Saturday and Sunday afternoons they feature a costume dance party hosted by Kitty Claws. On Saturday nights they close at 8 pm with a Halloween themed laser light show. Since they are open Saturday’s past sundown, they also feature coaster rides in the dark. Halloween ticket prices online (in advance) are $24.95. This may be one of the best Halloween party values around the country. Dates Open in 2014: September 20, 21, 27, 28 October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Maryland Fright Fest at Six Flags America - 13710 Central Avenue, Bowie/ Mitchellville, MD Fright Fest is the weekend Halloween event at Six Flags. Ticket prices vary but generally are around $34.99 for admission without the haunted houses or $46.99 with the haunted houses . As you might expect in a park this size there are multiple entertainment options. Entertainment includes Blood Moon stunt terror, theater or Magic, and Dead Man’s Party. There are many haunt attractions such as Voodoo Curse, Necroville, Spider Outbreak, Haunting of Hall Manor, Twisted Fair Tales, and many more. Most of the fantastic rides have been re-themed for this event. It is open September 28-29, October 5-6, 12-13, 18-20, and 25-27. Dates Open in 2014: September 27, 28 October 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Missouri Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt - 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64161 The Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun is beginning Friday, September 13th. Tickets options include the full park. Check their website for advance purchase discounts. World of Fun Haunt transforms into a horror filled nightmare on weekends. It features terrifying creatures and spooky thrill rides that will haunt your dreams. This is a Cedar Fair park so you know it must be good. Dates Open in 2014: September 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis - 4900 Six Flags, St. Louis Railroad, Eureka, MO 63069 Fright Fest opens October 3rd. Buy your tickets online for $44.99 without the haunted houses or $59.99 with the haunted houses. You save $15 from at the door prices. As with all Six Flags this is their Halloween haunt and entertainment event for October. While a little on the expensive side with multiple haunted houses and exciting thrill rides it will be something you will remember the rest of your life. Lots of entertainment value and fun at Fright Fest. The entertainment includes Deadman’s Party, Love at Frist Fright, Final Freakout, VooDoo Comedy Hypnosis Show, and Freak Out Circus. Their frights include Insanity Alley, Zombieville, Zombie Paintball Apocalypse, The Slaughter House, Sinister Clowns, and Blind Fury. Many of their rides have been re-themed for Halloween. Dates Open in 2014: October 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31 November 1, 2 New Jersey Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure North Caroliina Scarowinds Halloween Haunt – 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273 Scarowinds is the scare attraction at the popular theme park Carowinds. A Cedar Fair attraction so you can expect lots of exciting rides, midway entertainment, a clean park and did I mention lots of family type scares. In 2014, it starts on Friday, September 12th. The park is open from 7 pm to midnight. Ticket prices vary greatly from $26.99 to $40.00 for basic tickets online. Save money online. Check their website for discounts. This is a full entertainment park so come early and stay late. Dates Open in 2014: September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1 Ohio Halloween Haunt at King’s Island - 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040 Kings Island Haunt takes over the theme park on Friday and Saturday nights from September 19th through November 2nd. The Friday times are 6 pm to 1 am. Most Saturday times are 11 am to 1 am. Caution since zombies, psychotic clowns, and twisted souls take over the park it is too intense for children under the age of 13 at night. Enjoy the park rides, featured haunts, mazes, and shocks. New attractions coming for 2014. If you have a Gold Pass season ticket you get in for free. Dates Open in 2014: September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Cedar Point’s Hallo Weekends at Cedar Point, One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 Hallow Weekends has run for 18 years of monster fear. Cedar Point operates 10 haunted houses that are free with the park ride admission. Hallo Weekends begins September 12th. The hours are Friday night from 6 pm to midnight. Saturday runs from 11 am to midnight. Sunday’s start at 11 am and finishes at 8 pm. Check the website for a variety of ticket price options and discounts. Dates Open in 2014: September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 November 1, 2 Pennsylvania Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood Theme Park (Near Pittsburgh) Now celebrating over 13 terrifying years, Kennywood will once again operate Phantom Fright Nights. The weekend attraction is open every Friday and Saturday. This attraction is open from 7 pm until 1 am. Tickets are $32.99 plus a $1 amusement tax. Save $3 with online tickets. They advertise intense spectacles of sheer terror with Biofear, Voodoo Bayou, Mortem Manor, Villa of the Vampires, and many more attractions. Dates Open in 2014: September 26, 27 October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 November 1 Photo Credits: Knotts Scary Farm www.flickr.com {Park Thoughts} Six Flags Fright Fest www.flickr.com {Jim Trottler}

]]>Here are some of the top amusement parks in the country with Halloween events. Our number one attraction is Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando. They continue to pour money into this fall attraction with scary scenes from the Walking Dead, Predator, Alien and so many more.

However you don’t have to do to Disney, Universal, or Florida to take advantage of these extra special events. All across America there are Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and popular local parks with terrific Halloween activities. Some have great rides while others go all out on music and fun. Most makeover their park for the Halloween season. Some like Universal go all out for a really scary event meant only for adults. Others have scare free zones ideal for children.

If you are looking for an hour of fun try your local haunted house. If you are looking for an entire evening of fun then these just might do the trick. They cost more but it is hard to beat the entertainment value.

Amusement Parks By State With Our Favorite Halloween Events.

California

Great America’s Halloween Haunt - 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054
The amusement park Great America operates a Halloween haunt on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning September 26th. The haunt runs from 7 pm to midnight. The regular park is open Saturday and Sunday in October from 10 am to 5:30 pm. There are several days and nights that are family friendly including Snoopy’s Trick or Treating. Check website advance ticket prices.
Dates Open 2014:
September 26, 27
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 31
November 1

Halloween Events at Knotts Scary Farm

Knott’s Scary Farm - 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, California
Now part of Cedar Fair this Halloween event continues its forty year history of quality family entertainment. The Scary Farm in the month of October generates so much activity it is responsible for nearly half the annual revenue for the whole park. The theme is Nowhere to Hide and once you are inside the park the mazes, shows, rides, actors, and haunts really bring the scares to you. It features 14 mazes and six Halloween shows. It is one of the largest Halloween events in the country. Read our article on the Funtober blog about Knott’s Scary Farm.
Dates Open 2014:
September 25, 26, 27
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31
November 1

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest – 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, Colorado 80204
Elitch Fright Fest consists of four haunted houses located on the grounds of the Elitch Gardens theme park. Elitch is family by day and fright by night. It is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in October. The park has a science lab that works with radioactive materials. Test creatures have escaped and are roaming the grounds. Save money on Elitch Gardens tickets and buy online for around $34. The attractions include Ghouls motel, Scream it out, Trick or Treat trail, Vulture, Hay Maze, Hurl, The Awakening, and Freak Show. They also have three very scary attractions called Flesh Factory, Terror Chamber, and Séance for a separate Fright pass for $15 per person.
Dates Open 2014:
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2

Connecticut

The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce - 822 Lake Ave, Bristol, CT 06010
The Haunted Graveyard is a full entertainment experience at the amusement park Lake Compounce. It has been open for 13 years. The Haunted Graveyard runs Friday and Saturday nights from dusk to midnight every weekend in October and until 10:00 pm on Sunday nights. The attraction is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from October 4th through October 27th. The ticket price to the haunted house is $22.99. Lake Compounce has a full assortment of amusement rides. The ticket price is $22.99. You can get a combo ticket for both the rides and haunted house for $29.99. Military and group discounts are available. There are 17 dark rides during this event. Also expect to find werewolves, spiders, vampires, witches, demons, and the Grim Reaper among the many attractions at the Haunted Graveyard. The assortment of attractions includes Reapers Realm, Cemetery, Slaughter House, Cornfield, Bat Cave, Zombie Forest, Jungle, Mayan Temple, Dungeon, Fear of Death, and The Mist.
Dates Open 2014:
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1

Florida

Universal Halloween Horror Nights in Florida

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL
Universal Orlando operates their Halloween attraction for a record 28 nights in 2014. The attraction opens on September 19th. Ticket prices are as low as $41.99 with a day time ticket purchase or $95.99 for a single night purchase. We recommend you explore and buy your tickets online. Many types of park discounts are available in the area. Don’t miss any of the 8 haunted houses including The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, or Resident Evil. Funtober names Halloween Horror Nights the #1 Haunted House in Florida.
Dates Open 2014:
September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31
November 1

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens – 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, Florida
Another Florida theme park favorite is Busch Gardens Tampa. They have run this Halloween event for over 14 years. HowlOScream runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning September 26th. The times are 7:30 pm until 1 am. Event is always a fan favorite for both locals and tourists. Tickets start at $45 and go up to $65 based on the date. Check their website for the full range of prices, discounts, and online options. Busch Gardens has a full range of scream attractions including The Basement, Death Water Bayou, Circus of Superstition, Blood Asylum, Dead Fall, Zombie Mortuary, The Experiment, and Ultimate Gamble.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 26, 27
October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
November 1

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Disney World operates a night time Halloween experience called Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It is a separate hard ticket priced between $58 to $77 dollars. It features the Hallpy HallowWishes Firesworks and two Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parades each night. This is one of the best non-scary events in the world. You can find all the popular Disney characters in the park on these nights. Trick or Treat your way around the park. Lots of rides, fun, entertainment, and of course the Haunted Mansion. The entire park is decorated for Halloween.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28
October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31

Georgia

Six Flags Fright Fest - 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, Ga 30168.
Fright Fest is one of the largest haunted attractions in the country. They convert Six Flags into a full Halloween haunt with lots of scare attractions and entertainment. Entertainment includes Dr. Fright’s Dead Man’s Party, and Grouchy Griswold Insult Comic. Fearful Frights include Dr. Fright’s Frightorium, Freak Show, Monster Graveyard, Hidden Horror, ZX-1, Cemetery of the Undead, Asylum, The Last Ride and many more. Also many of Six Flags great rides have been re-themed and operating during Fright Fest. Save money and buy your tickets online.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 27, 28
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2

Illinois

Six Flags Fright Fest - Gurnee, IL
Great America is one of the Six Flags theme parks located in Gurnee, Illinois about half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. Each October the park re-opens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as the ultimate Halloween attraction Fright Fest. It has 5 haunted houses, mazes, shows, midway, food, and lots and lots of rides. They have renamed some of their roller coasters with Halloween themes but others are just too great to change. So if you are into thrills both the haunted houses and roller coasters will put a scare into you. Spend the day, get there early, and bring lots of money. Great America really makes the park a Halloween attractions and has lots of employee-actors dressed to surprise and scare you. Take your entire family, friends, and that special date. Good times will be had by all. Recommended Reading: 5 Travel Tips Six Flags Fright Fest Illinois.
Dates Open 2014:
September 27, 28
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31
November 1, 2

Indiana

Happy Halloween Weekends – Holiday World Theme Park – Santa Claus, IN
Did I mention they open the park at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday from September 20 – October 26, 2014 for their Happy Halloween Weekends theme. Holiday World is decorated for Halloween and includes two amazing corn mazes, hayrides, a 3D Theater presentation, Halloween candy, pumpkins, a Mummy’s Treasure Maze, and stage shows including Graveyard Smash. During Saturday and Sunday afternoons they feature a costume dance party hosted by Kitty Claws. On Saturday nights they close at 8 pm with a Halloween themed laser light show. Since they are open Saturday’s past sundown, they also feature coaster rides in the dark. Halloween ticket prices online (in advance) are $24.95. This may be one of the best Halloween party values around the country.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 20, 21, 27, 28
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26

Fright Fest at Six Flags America - 13710 Central Avenue, Bowie/ Mitchellville, MD
Fright Fest is the weekend Halloween event at Six Flags. Ticket prices vary but generally are around $34.99 for admission without the haunted houses or $46.99 with the haunted houses . As you might expect in a park this size there are multiple entertainment options. Entertainment includes Blood Moon stunt terror, theater or Magic, and Dead Man’s Party. There are many haunt attractions such as Voodoo Curse, Necroville, Spider Outbreak, Haunting of Hall Manor, Twisted Fair Tales, and many more. Most of the fantastic rides have been re-themed for this event. It is open September 28-29, October 5-6, 12-13, 18-20, and 25-27.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 27, 28
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2

Missouri

Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt - 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64161
The Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun is beginning Friday, September 13th. Tickets options include the full park. Check their website for advance purchase discounts. World of Fun Haunt transforms into a horror filled nightmare on weekends. It features terrifying creatures and spooky thrill rides that will haunt your dreams. This is a Cedar Fair park so you know it must be good.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2

Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis - 4900 Six Flags, St. Louis Railroad, Eureka, MO 63069
Fright Fest opens October 3rd. Buy your tickets online for $44.99 without the haunted houses or $59.99 with the haunted houses. You save $15 from at the door prices. As with all Six Flags this is their Halloween haunt and entertainment event for October. While a little on the expensive side with multiple haunted houses and exciting thrill rides it will be something you will remember the rest of your life. Lots of entertainment value and fun at Fright Fest. The entertainment includes Deadman’s Party, Love at Frist Fright, Final Freakout, VooDoo Comedy Hypnosis Show, and Freak Out Circus. Their frights include Insanity Alley, Zombieville, Zombie Paintball Apocalypse, The Slaughter House, Sinister Clowns, and Blind Fury. Many of their rides have been re-themed for Halloween.
Dates Open in 2014:
October 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31
November 1, 2

Six Flags Fright Fest Halloween Events

New Jersey

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure

North Caroliina

Scarowinds Halloween Haunt – 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273
Scarowinds is the scare attraction at the popular theme park Carowinds. A Cedar Fair attraction so you can expect lots of exciting rides, midway entertainment, a clean park and did I mention lots of family type scares. In 2014, it starts on Friday, September 12th. The park is open from 7 pm to midnight. Ticket prices vary greatly from $26.99 to $40.00 for basic tickets online. Save money online. Check their website for discounts. This is a full entertainment park so come early and stay late.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1

Ohio

Halloween Haunt at King’s Island - 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040
Kings Island Haunt takes over the theme park on Friday and Saturday nights from September 19th through November 2nd. The Friday times are 6 pm to 1 am. Most Saturday times are 11 am to 1 am. Caution since zombies, psychotic clowns, and twisted souls take over the park it is too intense for children under the age of 13 at night. Enjoy the park rides, featured haunts, mazes, and shocks. New attractions coming for 2014. If you have a Gold Pass season ticket you get in for free.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2

Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood Theme Park (Near Pittsburgh)
Now celebrating over 13 terrifying years, Kennywood will once again operate Phantom Fright Nights. The weekend attraction is open every Friday and Saturday. This attraction is open from 7 pm until 1 am. Tickets are $32.99 plus a $1 amusement tax. Save $3 with online tickets. They advertise intense spectacles of sheer terror with Biofear, Voodoo Bayou, Mortem Manor, Villa of the Vampires, and many more attractions.
Dates Open in 2014:
September 26, 27
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
November 1

]]>010 Spooky and Fun Children’s Halloween Party Ideashttp://www.funtober.com/10-spooky-fun-childrens-halloween-party-ideas/
http://www.funtober.com/10-spooky-fun-childrens-halloween-party-ideas/#commentsSun, 14 Sep 2014 01:06:54 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=35966Lilly Deane is someone who loves to have fun and says that one of the ways she does this is by organizing kids parties. By sharing kiddie party tips at Madfun and in blogs like Funtober. She aims to help parents be able to organize one on their own. In this post, she will be giving you some Halloween kid’s party ideas. When the calendar turns to September, people now start to think of the more fun holidays about to be celebrated in the coming months. For adults, celebrating may begin earlier with Oktoberfest along the way. But for kids, Halloween is the time when the holidays begin, put on their favorite costumes, play scary games with friends, and visit the neighbors to ask for some treats. Want to know how to make this day even more special for your own kids? Why not throw a big party? Here are some ideas you can try. Kiddie Halloween Party Ideas 1. The Bat Cave. Halloween is often associated with the color black. But still, kids would usually want their party to follow a superhero theme. And who else is more popular at donning a black outfit than Batman? Since painting the whole house is out of the question, what you can do is just give it a cave feel with the use of bat wall décor just like this one from chengand3kids.blogspot.com. 2. Crawling Spiders. And if your kids are not so much into black but still want to have that superhero Halloween party theme, Spidey has the webs that you could use as a party décor idea. You can weave your own spider webs with the use of white strings or simply purchase ready-made ensembles just like the ones below as seen in College Magazine. 3. Purple Glamour. If your kids are girls, pink is out of the question even when this is going to be an exclusive indoor party with their girlfriends for the Halloween. Choose purple instead and combine this with black. This one from enterny.com screams spooky royalty! 4. Cinderella in Black. One of the most popular princesses to ever grace the big screen is Cinderella. For Halloween, instead of going for Disney’s blue dress theme, why not get into the Halloween spirit and turn the pumpkin into black like this one from The Dressing Room. 5. Scary Photo Adventure. Aside from the décor, you should also have some fun kids activities to keep them from getting unruly. Picture taking is one way to do this. Instead of the usual photo booth, what you can do is provide your own backdrop with carved pumpkins like this one from Kidsomania and hold a scary photo contest. 6. Let the Dark Glow. Money should not keep your kids from missing out of the celebration. One cheap way to decorate for the season is with the use of glow sticks. SheKnows showed these plastic cups which had glow sticks in them. 7. Feast for a Monster. For dinner or snack, you can serve gross food inspired by mutilated human body parts. Just find some food recipes for kids online that follows this theme. The ones below are lady fingers made from bread sticks, featured in Living Locurto. 8. The Mardi Gras Ball. Let the kids experience being a prince or princess for a night with a masked Halloween party. Sponsoring their cute masks should be easy since you can easily buy these from Aliexpress for as low as one dollar. Some sellers even offer free shipping. 9. Christmas Prelude. Since December is not that far from November anyway, use Halloween as an early celebration for Christmas. You can make this possible by fusing the two holidays together with your decorations. This wreath in Designs by Vanessa is evidently Halloween with its extensive use of black tulle. But notice how it’s evidently Christmassy with its details of green, orange and yellow that pop out from the morbid color. 10. Owl on the Prowl. Crows are all-time favorite decors during Halloween. But you can also use owls as an alternative. They have mysteriously big eyes that seem to follow you anywhere. Have these perched on your porch’s railings like this one from HGTV. About Lilly Deane: I am one of the content curators at Madfun and other kids websites. Aside from writing, I also spend most of my time with my young family. I also love to paint, cook and organize kiddie parties. You can also get in contact with me on Google+ or Twitter: @LillyDeane01 Let’s all thank our Guest Author Lilly Deane. Funtober continues to bring you talented guest writers such as Lilly who are experts in their respective fields. Thanks for reading our blog as we countdown to Halloween. There are 48 days left to Halloween.

Lilly Deane is someone who loves to have fun and says that one of the ways she does this is by organizing kids parties. By sharing kiddie party tips at Madfun and in blogs like Funtober. She aims to help parents be able to organize one on their own. In this post, she will be giving you some Halloween kid’s party ideas.

When the calendar turns to September, people now start to think of the more fun holidays about to be celebrated in the coming months. For adults, celebrating may begin earlier with Oktoberfest along the way. But for kids, Halloween is the time when the holidays begin, put on their favorite costumes, play scary games with friends, and visit the neighbors to ask for some treats. Want to know how to make this day even more special for your own kids? Why not throw a big party?

Here are some ideas you can try.

Kiddie Halloween Party Ideas

1. The Bat Cave. Halloween is often associated with the color black. But still, kids would usually want their party to follow a superhero theme. And who else is more popular at donning a black outfit than Batman? Since painting the whole house is out of the question, what you can do is just give it a cave feel with the use of bat wall décor just like this one from chengand3kids.blogspot.com.

2. Crawling Spiders. And if your kids are not so much into black but still want to have that superhero Halloween party theme, Spidey has the webs that you could use as a party décor idea. You can weave your own spider webs with the use of white strings or simply purchase ready-made ensembles just like the ones below as seen in College Magazine.

3. Purple Glamour. If your kids are girls, pink is out of the question even when this is going to be an exclusive indoor party with their girlfriends for the Halloween. Choose purple instead and combine this with black. This one from enterny.com screams spooky royalty!

4. Cinderella in Black. One of the most popular princesses to ever grace the big screen is Cinderella. For Halloween, instead of going for Disney’s blue dress theme, why not get into the Halloween spirit and turn the pumpkin into black like this one from The Dressing Room.

5. Scary Photo Adventure. Aside from the décor, you should also have some fun kids activities to keep them from getting unruly. Picture taking is one way to do this. Instead of the usual photo booth, what you can do is provide your own backdrop with carved pumpkins like this one from Kidsomania and hold a scary photo contest.

6. Let the Dark Glow. Money should not keep your kids from missing out of the celebration. One cheap way to decorate for the season is with the use of glow sticks. SheKnows showed these plastic cups which had glow sticks in them.

10 Spooky & Fun Halloween Party Ideas

7. Feast for a Monster. For dinner or snack, you can serve gross food inspired by mutilated human body parts. Just find some food recipes for kids online that follows this theme. The ones below are lady fingers made from bread sticks, featured in Living Locurto.

8. The Mardi Gras Ball. Let the kids experience being a prince or princess for a night with a masked Halloween party. Sponsoring their cute masks should be easy since you can easily buy these from Aliexpress for as low as one dollar. Some sellers even offer free shipping.

9. Christmas Prelude. Since December is not that far from November anyway, use Halloween as an early celebration for Christmas. You can make this possible by fusing the two holidays together with your decorations. This wreath in Designs by Vanessa is evidently Halloween with its extensive use of black tulle. But notice how it’s evidently Christmassy with its details of green, orange and yellow that pop out from the morbid color.

10. Owl on the Prowl. Crows are all-time favorite decors during Halloween. But you can also use owls as an alternative. They have mysteriously big eyes that seem to follow you anywhere. Have these perched on your porch’s railings like this one from HGTV.

About Lilly Deane:

I am one of the content curators at Madfun and other kids websites. Aside from writing, I also spend most of my time with my young family. I also love to paint, cook and organize kiddie parties.

Let’s all thank our Guest Author Lilly Deane. Funtober continues to bring you talented guest writers such as Lilly who are experts in their respective fields. Thanks for reading our blog as we countdown to Halloween. There are 48 days left to Halloween.

]]>0Fall Party Foods – Sweet and Savory Fall Crostinishttp://www.funtober.com/fall-party-foods-sweet-savory-fall-crostinis/
http://www.funtober.com/fall-party-foods-sweet-savory-fall-crostinis/#commentsWed, 10 Sep 2014 16:20:48 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=35825Funtober is so fortunate today to introduce attorney and noted food blogger Michelle Hershman. Her website Healthy Recipe Ecstasy features her lifelong passion of new foods and healthy cuisines. Three Sweet and Savory Fall Crostinis Fall is in the air. Can you feel it? Ok, all I’m feeling right now is the humidity, but I can smell it. The sweet sugar is releasing from caramelized apples and tickling my nostrils. Pecans are toasting in the oven until fragrant and fig jam is simmering on the stovetop. Maybe it’s just my kitchen. But I have the feeling that folks across the country are just chomping at the bit for fall and all the festivities that come with it. Sure, summer is great with its cookouts and pool parties and popsicles, but there’s something special, almost magical, about fall. It’s the changing leaves, the slight chill in the air, the year’s best holidays (who can argue with one holiday based around costumes and another holiday based around turkey and stuffing?), and, most importantly, it’s the food. There’s something familiar and cozy about fall cuisine. Casseroles and stews bring a lot of people back to their childhoods. It’s a time for family and it’s a time for gathering. While there are plenty of things to celebrate in fall, I love to have fall parties for no good reason other than to celebrate the fall harvest. And parties mean appetizers – my favorite food group. There’s nothing better than mingling around a party with a cocktail in one hand and a small plate full of finger foods in the other hand. To me, there is no finger food more diverse than the crostini. You start with a little slice of toasted bread and the sky’s the limit from there. So, this fall, I’m throwing a crostini party to celebrate some of my favorite fall flavors. I created three crostinis with three unique, but familiar, flavor combinations. First up is the goat cheese and fig jam crostini with toasted pecans. The tangy goat cheese matches perfectly with the sweet fig jam, and the toasted pecans fill your kitchen with an aroma that screams fall. This crostini will be a major crowd pleaser. Next up is the pumpkin and ricotta crostini with brown sugar bacon. Nothing says fall like pumpkin. But pureed pumpkin can be a strong flavor all on its own, which is why a lot of people choose to bake it into a pie or a muffin mixed with a lot of sugar. Here, the creamy ricotta tempers the pumpkin flavor while still letting it be the star of the show. And, brown sugar bacon, do we need a reason? The final crostini is topped with brie and cranberry-apple chutney. You knew cranberry and apples had to come into play at some point, right? The brie is so smooth and creamy and the tart chutney flavors just explode in your mouth. RECIPES Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini with Toasted Pecans Ingredients: 6 teaspoons goat cheese 4 teaspoons fig jam 1 tablespoon chopped pecans 4 slices French baguette Directions: Toast the pecans in a small skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until fragrant. Spread 1.5 teaspoons goat cheese on each baguette slice. Top each with 1 teaspoon fig jam and garnish with chopped pecans. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees or until the cheese and fig jam start to melt. Pumpkin Ricotta Crostini with Brown Sugar Bacon Crumbles Ingredients: 6 teaspoons part-skim ricotta cheese 4 teaspoons pumpkin puree Pinch of kosher salt 2 teaspoons light brown sugar 2 slices center-cut bacon 4 slices French baguette Directions: Add bacon to a foil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with brown sugar. Put the bacon in the oven and turn the heat to 400 degrees. Cook for 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Keep your eye on the bacon because the sugar can burn quickly. Drain the bacon on a paper towel and crumble it. Mix the ricotta cheese and pumpkin puree in a small bowl until combined. Season with a small pinch of kosher salt. Divide the pumpkin ricotta mixture evenly among the baguette slices and garnish with crumbled bacon. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Brie Crostini with Cranberry-Apple Chutney Ingredients: 1 cup cranberries (fresh or thawed from frozen) 1 small apple, peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon all spice Zest and juice from ½ of one orange 4 ounces of Brie cheese 4 slices French baguette Directions: Add the first six ingredients (cranberries through orange) to a small pot and cook over medium low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to low and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Spread 1 ounce Brie cheese on each baguette slice. Top with desired amount of chutney. The chutney is really tart so keep it light if tart is not your thing or pile it on if you love the tart. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees or until the Brie melts. Authors Bio: Our guest author today is Michelle Hershman @Healthy Recipe Ecstasy. She is an attorney and wife with two adorable cats. Her passion is food. She tries to make most of her foods from scratch thereby giving up on most processed foods. She experiments with lots of recipe types. I know you will love her recipes. If you have a question about this recipe she can be reached at: michelle (dot) hershman (at) gmail (dot) com.

]]>Funtober is so fortunate today to introduce attorney and noted food blogger Michelle Hershman. Her website Healthy Recipe Ecstasy features her lifelong passion of new foods and healthy cuisines.

Three Sweet and Savory Fall Crostinis

Fall is in the air. Can you feel it? Ok, all I’m feeling right now is the humidity, but I can smell it. The sweet sugar is releasing from caramelized apples and tickling my nostrils. Pecans are toasting in the oven until fragrant and fig jam is simmering on the stovetop.

Maybe it’s just my kitchen. But I have the feeling that folks across the country are just chomping at the bit for fall and all the festivities that come with it. Sure, summer is great with its cookouts and pool parties and popsicles, but there’s something special, almost magical, about fall. It’s the changing leaves, the slight chill in the air, the year’s best holidays (who can argue with one holiday based around costumes and another holiday based around turkey and stuffing?), and, most importantly, it’s the food. There’s something familiar and cozy about fall cuisine. Casseroles and stews bring a lot of people back to their childhoods. It’s a time for family and it’s a time for gathering.

While there are plenty of things to celebrate in fall, I love to have fall parties for no good reason other than to celebrate the fall harvest. And parties mean appetizers – my favorite food group. There’s nothing better than mingling around a party with a cocktail in one hand and a small plate full of finger foods in the other hand. To me, there is no finger food more diverse than the crostini. You start with a little slice of toasted bread and the sky’s the limit from there.

So, this fall, I’m throwing a crostini party to celebrate some of my favorite fall flavors. I created three crostinis with three unique, but familiar, flavor combinations. First up is the goat cheese and fig jam crostini with toasted pecans. The tangy goat cheese matches perfectly with the sweet fig jam, and the toasted pecans fill your kitchen with an aroma that screams fall. This crostini will be a major crowd pleaser.

Next up is the pumpkin and ricotta crostini with brown sugar bacon. Nothing says fall like pumpkin. But pureed pumpkin can be a strong flavor all on its own, which is why a lot of people choose to bake it into a pie or a muffin mixed with a lot of sugar. Here, the creamy ricotta tempers the pumpkin flavor while still letting it be the star of the show. And, brown sugar bacon, do we need a reason?

The final crostini is topped with brie and cranberry-apple chutney. You knew cranberry and apples had to come into play at some point, right? The brie is so smooth and creamy and the tart chutney flavors just explode in your mouth.

RECIPES

Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini with Toasted Pecans

Toast the pecans in a small skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until fragrant. Spread 1.5 teaspoons goat cheese on each baguette slice. Top each with 1 teaspoon fig jam and garnish with chopped pecans. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees or until the cheese and fig jam start to melt.

Pumpkin Ricotta Crostini with Brown Sugar Bacon Crumbles

Add bacon to a foil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with brown sugar. Put the bacon in the oven and turn the heat to 400 degrees. Cook for 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Keep your eye on the bacon because the sugar can burn quickly. Drain the bacon on a paper towel and crumble it. Mix the ricotta cheese and pumpkin puree in a small bowl until combined. Season with a small pinch of kosher salt. Divide the pumpkin ricotta mixture evenly among the baguette slices and garnish with crumbled bacon. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

Add the first six ingredients (cranberries through orange) to a small pot and cook over medium low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to low and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Spread 1 ounce Brie cheese on each baguette slice. Top with desired amount of chutney. The chutney is really tart so keep it light if tart is not your thing or pile it on if you love the tart. Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees or until the Brie melts.

Authors Bio:

Our guest author today is Michelle Hershman @Healthy Recipe Ecstasy. She is an attorney and wife with two adorable cats. Her passion is food. She tries to make most of her foods from scratch thereby giving up on most processed foods. She experiments with lots of recipe types. I know you will love her recipes. If you have a question about this recipe she can be reached at: michelle (dot) hershman (at) gmail (dot) com.

]]>225 Funny Oktoberfest Event Names in U.S.http://www.funtober.com/25-funny-oktoberfest-event-names-u-s/
http://www.funtober.com/25-funny-oktoberfest-event-names-u-s/#commentsSun, 07 Sep 2014 21:43:52 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=35791I am sure Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese never imagined the many unique and funny names that US cities choose as Oktoberfest names. The Royal marriage occurred on October 12, 1810. Now 200 years later the October celebration begins in Munich in September. So ok a September festival named Oktoberfest seems a little funny. Well German weather in October can be a little rough. So why not move it to the better climate in September. Top Oktoberfest Names That Will Make You Laugh Here in the US we have Oktoberfest celebrations beginning in August and running well into November. Here are some of the 25 funniest names organizers have chosen for their special events. Porktoberque – Dothan, AL – September 26-27, 2014Enjoy barbecue, beer and live music at this Oktoberfest celebration in Dothan. Free samples of craft beer from Folklore Brewery and Meadery on Friday from 6-8 in the Man Cave. The People’s Choice Tasting competition is on Saturday from 11-1. The New South Cruisers Car Show will be on Saturday as well. Two stages of musical acts will see performances by Random-Ax, Los Locos, Thrice Pierced, Polka Dots, and Big Jimmy. Cornhole tournament on Saturday with free practice rounds on Friday. Inflatables for kids both days. Location: Houston County Farm Center, 1701 E Cottonwood Rd., Dothan, AL. Rocktoberfest - Jacksonville, AR – October 4, 2014Experience Oktoberfest with live music, an art festival, a car show, beer garden, food booths, golf and more. Event is held at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Sactoberfest – October 10-12, 2014Second annual event on the West Sacramento Riverfront. They have extended it to three days this year and will bring in a giant, Munich-style beer hall tent. Craft beer, local food, carnival rides, stein-holding and other German festivities. Stocktoberfest – Stockton, CA – October 4, 2014Beers and brats on the waterfront from 2-9 PM (1 PM for VIPs). 21+ only. Craft beers, home brews, sausage, chicken dance-off, keg lifting and beer stein holding competitions. Live classic rock and accordion music. General admission ticket prices are $15 on their website. Save $2 off beer when dressed in costume! Food vendor Delroy Grill is back with their featured hit grilled oysters. They have 10 featured beers including Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest. Located: Outdoor Amphitheatre, 445 West Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA. FORToberfest – Fort Collins, CO – September 19-20, 2014A celebration of Fort Collins with live music, seasonal beer from 6+ Fort Collins breweries and bicycle booths. Music lineup ranges from funk to bluegrass to rock and indie. Friday night headliner is 12 Cents for Marvin (from Fort Collins) and Saturday headliners The Railbenders (Alt Country music) and P-Nuckle (reggae). Costumes are encouraged. Free admission. Thousands are expected to participate. The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is expected to be back with the remote Rio Patio and their famous Margaritas on Saturday. Location: Downtown Fort Collins (Walnut St. and Old Town Square. Steamboat OktoberWest – Steamboat Springs, CO – September 19-21, 2014The 6th Annual Oktoberfest with a western twist. Rocky Mountain beer and local food and festivities instead of German beer. Cruiser bike parade Suds & Grub on Friday. OktoberWest is Saturday with live music, beer garden with over 20 Colorado brewers and the I Love Beef Cook Off. Yampa Street Live on Sunday has more beer, western music and line dancing. Festival admission is free but there is a cost to enter the cook off tasting and beer garden. Location: 2305 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 OktoBREWfest – Greeley, CO – September 26-27, 2014Location: Lincoln Park (8th Street & 9th Avenue), Greeley COThe Greeley Oktoberfest changed its name in 2013 to reflect the focus on specialty brews, VIP tasting tent and expanded musical entertainment. But the same German traditions will still take place. Event kicks off Friday evening with brats, beer, games and a free concert. Huge children’s area on Saturday along with more music, food and specialty beer. Stein lifting, pie eating, volleyball and life size beer pong contests. Volgafest – Windsor, CO – September 27, 2014Pretty sure this used to be called an Oktoberfest, but it is up on their website in 2014 as Volgafest, celebrating Windsor’s Volga German heritage. Location: Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th Street, Windsor CO Jaxtoberfest – Jacksonville, FL – October 10-11, 2014 Crosstoberfest – Sun Valley, ID – October 17-18, 2014This annual event in October combines a cyclocross race with a beerfest. The beerfest features around 100 beers from over 20 breweries. Beer festival garden is for 21+ only, but there are plenty of other acitivities for kids and families. An all access pass for Friday evening and Saturday is $25. Riders get discounted tickets to the festival with race registration. 2014 is the 11th annual event.Location: Old Cutters Park, Hailey, ID Blocktoberfest at St. Leonard School – Berwyn, IL – September 27th, 2014Live Music, food and beer at this family event with kids activities. Free Admission. Rain Date is Sunday. Location: 3318 Clarence Ave, Berwyn, IL Fort Wayne OktoBEERfest – September 13, 2014A beer festival organized by Mad Anthony that has been happening for more than ten years. Try more than 100 Indiana beers from 20 regional craft brewers. Price of ticket includes souvenir glass and unlimited tastings. Golf outing happens the day before, Sept. 12th at Bridgewater at 1 PM. Location: Headwater’s Park West, Fort Wayne, IN OAKtoberfest – Syracuse, IN – October 11, 2014Join the Oakwood Resort, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and Chautauqua-Wawasee for the second annual “Oak”toberfest. This German festival will include children’s activities, German food, live music, beer tent, chicken dance and more! Location: Oakwood Resort Augustoberfest – Hagerstown, MD – August 23-24, 2014This annual Oktoberfest pays tribute to the area’s rich German heritage and supports exchange students from its sister city in Wiesel, Germany. Tickets are $5. The event kicks off Saturday at 8 am with a 5Km and 10Km Fit Walk. Activities last all day until 10 pm. The children’s area opens at noon with a Punch and Judy show, a magic show, arts, crafts, and storytelling. For adult the hospitality tent opens at 11 am. Music is provided by the Heidi and Heimat Echo, and Die Schlauberger bands. On Sunday the huge German Car Show starts at 10:30 am. Also don’t miss the German Brunch from 11 am until 2 pm. Crabtoberfest – Cambridge, MD – September 27, 2014German beer, food, music and dancing from 5 to 10 PM on Saturday. Serving Paulaner beer, Sam Adams Octoberfest and Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale. Musical entertainment will include Enzian Vokstanzgruppe, Liab’ und Schneid, and Echte Freunde (from Germany!). General admission is $5. Rain location is Minette-Dick Hall in Cambridge. Location: 200 Byrn St Cambridge, MD 21613 Frostoberfest – Frostburg, MD – September 27, 2014.The little community of Frostburg seems to go all out for events. Their theme for the city is “Frostburg – It’s Just Cooler Here!” They will hold their 2nd annual event celebrating German heritage. This street festival feature German culture, food, music, and bier gardens. They have a kid zone, local crafts, and more. It runs from 1:00 pm to 2:00 am. Parktoberfest – Parkville, MO – October 4, 20146th annual day at the park with live music, beer garden and fun for kids including the Little King & Queen Parktoberfest contests. The morning starts off with a 5K run followed by a family run. Admission is free but a suggested $10 park donation helps the Friends of Parkville Parks complete restoration projects. Location: English Landing Park, Parkville, MO 64152 Okto Beerfest – Lincoln – October 9, 2014Celebrate their 21st year on October 9, 2014 with over 200 different beers from around the world, food from 20 to 30 top area restaurants and caterers, live auction and music featuring bag pipers and the Wilber Alumni Czech band.Location: Lancaster Event Center Schnitzelfest – Hillsborough, NH – Sept 27, 2014The Greater Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce presents our 12th annual Schnitzelfest at Butler Park in the heart of the downtown in Hillsborough, New Hampshire on Saturday, September 27, 2014. They say it is the best German food outside of Germany, right in downtown Hillsborough, NH! Authentically prepared schnitzel, sauerkraut, potato salad, breads and incredible cakes and pastries served under the tent. Beer and wine bar, souvenirs, and craft vendors. Entertainment, including the Zauer Kraut Bavarian band. Enjoy tasty German cuisine, oom-pah music, and shopping in beautiful historic Hillsborough. Buy your tickets early and avoid the lines. Xfinity Live Xtoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – September 27, 20143rd Annual event with beer garden tent and music from multiple DJs in seven different event areas. Sample 150+ beers from participating breweries in your custom beer stein and enjoy Oktoberfest-style foods. Purchase the X-treme VIP to get in one hour early and taste special vip-only German beers all day long. Contests will include the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. X-Toberfest, eating contests (hot dogs, pretzels, etc), stein holding contest. They are going to have a selection of pumpkin beers as well as exclusive beer launches from Victory Brewing Company. Dance on the tables in Victory Beer Hall, ride the mechanical bull or take part in the complimentary body painting. Silent auction of sports memorabilia with proceeds going to charity. They sold out in advance last year, so don’t rely on being able to purchase tickets at the door. Early Bird tickets are $15 for designated driver, $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP. Tickets include Free Parking in Lots S & T. For those not familiar with the venue, XFINITY Live! is the sports entertainment venue located next to the Wells Fargo Center and across the street from Citizens Bank Park. Location: 1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148 Bloktoberfest – Philadelphia, PA – October 11, 2014Four blocks of South Street from Broad to 18th Street in Philly will be closed to traffic for this non profit event with live music, craft beer and food. I have been to this event. Now celebrating its 6th year it runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Admission to enter is free. This is a big city festivals with well over 100,000 attendees.Location: South Street and Broad, Philadelphia, PA AustOberfest – Austin – Sept 27, 2014Celebrate your German heritage in Central Texas with German beer, sausages, live music and bowling. Austin Saengerrunde will host the 2nd annual event at Saengerrunde Hall and Scholz Bier Garten (1607 San Jacinto Blvd). Nine beer options from Paulaner and Hacker Pschorr. Unlivinted German-style sausages, mustards and sides. Sausage tasting is from 1-5 PM. Rooftop beer garden and live music from Czech polka band Czech Melody Masters and honky tonk band The Derailers. All inclusive tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Butte-toberfest – Butte, MT – September 20, 20146th Annual Oktoberfest featuring 15 Montana Breweries, food, stein races, and kids fall festival. This event has been taking place since 2009. Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit the Silver Bow Developmental Disabilities Council. Their hope to build a teaching kitchen to help individuals with disabilities pursue health and wellness called the Nutrition Education Station. Location: Park and Dakota, Butte, MT. I debated about putting some of the Wurstfest events into this Oktoberfest list. New Braunfels, Texas has a wonderful event that rivals any Oktoberfest. However technically it is not an Oktoberfest. There are also some great beer festivals with funny names that once were Oktoberfest events that have simply eliminated the German heritage in order to attract a broader audience. I also left off some funny city names that used the Oktoberfest for their city celebration. Here at Funtober we continue to look for things to do this fall as we close in on Halloween. We love Oktoberfest, fall festivals, haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. Hope you like our blog series and event pages. We have both Oktoberfest Munich and Oktoberfest USA information. You might also like our: Top 10 Oktoberfest Celebrations in the U.S. Don’t Miss The Top 10 Up-and-Coming Oktoberfests in 2014! 15 Tips To Enjoying Oktoberfest in Munich

]]>I am sure Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese never imagined the many unique and funny names that US cities choose as Oktoberfest names. The Royal marriage occurred on October 12, 1810. Now 200 years later the October celebration begins in Munich in September. So ok a September festival named Oktoberfest seems a little funny. Well German weather in October can be a little rough. So why not move it to the better climate in September.

Top Oktoberfest Names That Will Make You Laugh

Here in the US we have Oktoberfest celebrations beginning in August and running well into November. Here are some of the 25 funniest names organizers have chosen for their special events.

Porktoberque– Dothan, AL – September 26-27, 2014Enjoy barbecue, beer and live music at this Oktoberfest celebration in Dothan. Free samples of craft beer from Folklore Brewery and Meadery on Friday from 6-8 in the Man Cave. The People’s Choice Tasting competition is on Saturday from 11-1. The New South Cruisers Car Show will be on Saturday as well. Two stages of musical acts will see performances by Random-Ax, Los Locos, Thrice Pierced, Polka Dots, and Big Jimmy. Cornhole tournament on Saturday with free practice rounds on Friday. Inflatables for kids both days. Location: Houston County Farm Center, 1701 E Cottonwood Rd., Dothan, AL.

Rocktoberfest- Jacksonville, AR – October 4, 2014Experience Oktoberfest with live music, an art festival, a car show, beer garden, food booths, golf and more. Event is held at the Little Rock Air Force Base.

Sactoberfest– October 10-12, 2014Second annual event on the West Sacramento Riverfront. They have extended it to three days this year and will bring in a giant, Munich-style beer hall tent. Craft beer, local food, carnival rides, stein-holding and other German festivities.

Stocktoberfest– Stockton, CA – October 4, 2014Beers and brats on the waterfront from 2-9 PM (1 PM for VIPs). 21+ only. Craft beers, home brews, sausage, chicken dance-off, keg lifting and beer stein holding competitions. Live classic rock and accordion music. General admission ticket prices are $15 on their website. Save $2 off beer when dressed in costume! Food vendor Delroy Grill is back with their featured hit grilled oysters. They have 10 featured beers including Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest. Located: Outdoor Amphitheatre, 445 West Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA.

FORToberfest– Fort Collins, CO – September 19-20, 2014A celebration of Fort Collins with live music, seasonal beer from 6+ Fort Collins breweries and bicycle booths. Music lineup ranges from funk to bluegrass to rock and indie. Friday night headliner is 12 Cents for Marvin (from Fort Collins) and Saturday headliners The Railbenders (Alt Country music) and P-Nuckle (reggae). Costumes are encouraged. Free admission. Thousands are expected to participate. The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is expected to be back with the remote Rio Patio and their famous Margaritas on Saturday. Location: Downtown Fort Collins (Walnut St. and Old Town Square.

Steamboat OktoberWest– Steamboat Springs, CO – September 19-21, 2014The 6th Annual Oktoberfest with a western twist. Rocky Mountain beer and local food and festivities instead of German beer. Cruiser bike parade Suds & Grub on Friday. OktoberWest is Saturday with live music, beer garden with over 20 Colorado brewers and the I Love Beef Cook Off. Yampa Street Live on Sunday has more beer, western music and line dancing. Festival admission is free but there is a cost to enter the cook off tasting and beer garden. Location: 2305 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

OktoBREWfest– Greeley, CO – September 26-27, 2014Location: Lincoln Park (8th Street & 9th Avenue), Greeley COThe Greeley Oktoberfest changed its name in 2013 to reflect the focus on specialty brews, VIP tasting tent and expanded musical entertainment. But the same German traditions will still take place. Event kicks off Friday evening with brats, beer, games and a free concert. Huge children’s area on Saturday along with more music, food and specialty beer. Stein lifting, pie eating, volleyball and life size beer pong contests.

Volgafest– Windsor, CO – September 27, 2014Pretty sure this used to be called an Oktoberfest, but it is up on their website in 2014 as Volgafest, celebrating Windsor’s Volga German heritage. Location: Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th Street, Windsor CO

Crosstoberfest– Sun Valley, ID – October 17-18, 2014This annual event in October combines a cyclocross race with a beerfest. The beerfest features around 100 beers from over 20 breweries. Beer festival garden is for 21+ only, but there are plenty of other acitivities for kids and families. An all access pass for Friday evening and Saturday is $25. Riders get discounted tickets to the festival with race registration. 2014 is the 11th annual event.Location: Old Cutters Park, Hailey, ID

Fort Wayne OktoBEERfest– September 13, 2014A beer festival organized by Mad Anthony that has been happening for more than ten years. Try more than 100 Indiana beers from 20 regional craft brewers. Price of ticket includes souvenir glass and unlimited tastings. Golf outing happens the day before, Sept. 12th at Bridgewater at 1 PM. Location: Headwater’s Park West, Fort Wayne, IN

OAKtoberfest– Syracuse, IN – October 11, 2014Join the Oakwood Resort, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and Chautauqua-Wawasee for the second annual “Oak”toberfest. This German festival will include children’s activities, German food, live music, beer tent, chicken dance and more! Location: Oakwood Resort

Augustoberfest– Hagerstown, MD – August 23-24, 2014This annual Oktoberfest pays tribute to the area’s rich German heritage and supports exchange students from its sister city in Wiesel, Germany. Tickets are $5. The event kicks off Saturday at 8 am with a 5Km and 10Km Fit Walk. Activities last all day until 10 pm. The children’s area opens at noon with a Punch and Judy show, a magic show, arts, crafts, and storytelling. For adult the hospitality tent opens at 11 am. Music is provided by the Heidi and Heimat Echo, and Die Schlauberger bands. On Sunday the huge German Car Show starts at 10:30 am. Also don’t miss the German Brunch from 11 am until 2 pm.

Frostoberfest– Frostburg, MD – September 27, 2014.The little community of Frostburg seems to go all out for events. Their theme for the city is “Frostburg – It’s Just Cooler Here!” They will hold their 2nd annual event celebrating German heritage. This street festival feature German culture, food, music, and bier gardens. They have a kid zone, local crafts, and more. It runs from 1:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Parktoberfest– Parkville, MO – October 4, 20146th annual day at the park with live music, beer garden and fun for kids including the Little King & Queen Parktoberfest contests. The morning starts off with a 5K run followed by a family run. Admission is free but a suggested $10 park donation helps the Friends of Parkville Parks complete restoration projects. Location: English Landing Park, Parkville, MO 64152

Okto Beerfest– Lincoln – October 9, 2014Celebrate their 21st year on October 9, 2014 with over 200 different beers from around the world, food from 20 to 30 top area restaurants and caterers, live auction and music featuring bag pipers and the Wilber Alumni Czech band.Location: Lancaster Event Center

Schnitzelfest– Hillsborough, NH – Sept 27, 2014The Greater Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce presents our 12th annual Schnitzelfest at Butler Park in the heart of the downtown in Hillsborough, New Hampshire on Saturday, September 27, 2014. They say it is the best German food outside of Germany, right in downtown Hillsborough, NH! Authentically prepared schnitzel, sauerkraut, potato salad, breads and incredible cakes and pastries served under the tent. Beer and wine bar, souvenirs, and craft vendors. Entertainment, including the Zauer Kraut Bavarian band. Enjoy tasty German cuisine, oom-pah music, and shopping in beautiful historic Hillsborough. Buy your tickets early and avoid the lines.

Xfinity Live Xtoberfest– Philadelphia, PA – September 27, 20143rd Annual event with beer garden tent and music from multiple DJs in seven different event areas. Sample 150+ beers from participating breweries in your custom beer stein and enjoy Oktoberfest-style foods. Purchase the X-treme VIP to get in one hour early and taste special vip-only German beers all day long. Contests will include the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. X-Toberfest, eating contests (hot dogs, pretzels, etc), stein holding contest. They are going to have a selection of pumpkin beers as well as exclusive beer launches from Victory Brewing Company. Dance on the tables in Victory Beer Hall, ride the mechanical bull or take part in the complimentary body painting. Silent auction of sports memorabilia with proceeds going to charity. They sold out in advance last year, so don’t rely on being able to purchase tickets at the door. Early Bird tickets are $15 for designated driver, $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP. Tickets include Free Parking in Lots S & T. For those not familiar with the venue, XFINITY Live! is the sports entertainment venue located next to the Wells Fargo Center and across the street from Citizens Bank Park. Location: 1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148

Bloktoberfest– Philadelphia, PA – October 11, 2014Four blocks of South Street from Broad to 18th Street in Philly will be closed to traffic for this non profit event with live music, craft beer and food. I have been to this event. Now celebrating its 6th year it runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Admission to enter is free. This is a big city festivals with well over 100,000 attendees.Location: South Street and Broad, Philadelphia, PA

AustOberfest– Austin – Sept 27, 2014Celebrate your German heritage in Central Texas with German beer, sausages, live music and bowling. Austin Saengerrunde will host the 2nd annual event at Saengerrunde Hall and Scholz Bier Garten (1607 San Jacinto Blvd). Nine beer options from Paulaner and Hacker Pschorr. Unlivinted German-style sausages, mustards and sides. Sausage tasting is from 1-5 PM. Rooftop beer garden and live music from Czech polka band Czech Melody Masters and honky tonk band The Derailers. All inclusive tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

I debated about putting some of the Wurstfest events into this Oktoberfest list. New Braunfels, Texas has a wonderful event that rivals any Oktoberfest. However technically it is not an Oktoberfest. There are also some great beer festivals with funny names that once were Oktoberfest events that have simply eliminated the German heritage in order to attract a broader audience.

I also left off some funny city names that used the Oktoberfest for their city celebration.

]]>0Don’t Miss The Top 10 Up-and-Coming Oktoberfests in 2014!http://www.funtober.com/top-ten-oktoberfests-2014/
http://www.funtober.com/top-ten-oktoberfests-2014/#commentsFri, 05 Sep 2014 17:30:18 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=35634Oktoberfest has a long and interesting history, dating back more than 200 years to the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in Munich. Once confined to the Weisn, it has now spread around the country with celebrations from China to Brazil. In the United States, there are several that have been going on more than 50 years. You can see some of them on our list of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. Because of their popularity, age and traditions, they dominate the top Oktoberfest lists that are put out every fall. We decided to dig a little deeper this year and find the up-and-coming festivals that you’ll probably see on these top ten lists in the future. They haven’t been around long enough to acquire the following necessary to break into the upper echelons of the Oktoberfest world. And some of the communities are too small to perhaps ever attract such a large following. But we expect great things from them in the future, and they are definitely worth the drive to visit them right now. Some of the best times in life happen when a place exceeds your expectations. The new restaurant by an unknown chef that has been overlooked by all of the restaurant critics. The mixologist that makes amazing drinks and interesting conversation at a hole-in-the wall bar with a small but loyal crowd. You stop in to check it out and leave raving to your friends about how much you enjoyed the food. We think you should add one (or more) of these ten Oktoberfests which are under ten years old to your fall traditions: AustOberfest Austin, the home of the ACL Music Festival and nearly one million people, was without an Oktoberfest until last year. That’s when the Austin Saengerrunde stepped into the void to throw the inaugural AustOberfest at Saengerrunde Hall. Last year, they were named “Best New Food Event” in Austin. And the Culture Trip listed it as one of 10 “Unmissable Events” in Austin this September. Why is it garnering such accolades? All you can eat sausage from 18+ BBQ places in Central Texas – enough said! Two drink tickets are thrown in as well, with the option of purchasing another for just $1 more. AND each drink ticket gets you FIVE drinks! They promise that it will be bigger and better this year so get your tickets for September 27th now. The lineup of sausage suppliers is mouth-wateringly good and there will be plenty of beer to wash it down. It wouldn’t be Austin or Oktoberfest without live music. Czech Melody Masters, The Derailers, Jared & The Mill will all be there to make sure you are dancing the night away! Take part in one of their fun games and leave with a souvenir Paulaner tasting glass. The charitable beneficiary of the event is Foodways Texas. It was founded in July 2010 to preserve, promote and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas. You can find more information on the ticket page or Facebook. Sactoberfest After a successful first year, they’ve extended this popular West Sacramento Oktoberfest to a three-day event for 2014. “Come October, a piece of Germany is coming to Northern California in Sactoberfest,” said Rich Clakeley, owner of Finrich Events and event producer of Sactoberfest. The festivities will kick off on the riverfront Friday afternoon (October 10th) with a parade, keg tapping ceremony and live music. In true Munich spirit, they’ve also added a carnival to the event to bring 16+ rides and amusement games for some family-friendly fun. Sunday is “Familiennachmitagen Day” with special entertainment for all ages, but kids are welcome to attend the rest of the celebration.. The beer will be flowing with German favorites Spaten, Erdinger, Hofbrau and Franzikaner served under the massive bier tent by waitresses dressed in dirndls. Go local with craft beer from breweries such as Sudwerk, Yolo, Bike Dog or Jackrabbit. If you get hungry, they’ll have “some of the region’s best locally produced and German-inspired cuisine,” according to Clakeley. Frickle Brothers, Borderick Roadhouse, Ten22 and The German Deli are all scheduled to be there serving food. You’ll need to get dressed up if you want to capture the title of Best Lederhosen or Dirndl Dress. If style isn’t your strength, stein holding, wurst tossing and keg rolling are all on the agenda. For those that haven’t practiced their Oktoberfest games, beer pong and corn hole are also scheduled. The musical lineup includes The Internationals, the 21-piece brass Chico Bavarian Band, the Flying Dutchman and Alpine Horns. If you are going, don’t forget to practice your chicken dance! Get more information on their website, Facebook or Twitter. Kingsport Oktoberfest Love to drink? You are in for a treat in Tennessee on September 13th. 45 brewers will offer up more than 100+ obscure and unique craft beers for attendees. “[Y]ou’re sure to feel like you’ve stepped into Bavaria,” according to Festival Director Stephanie Carson. Two sections of the bier garden will be dedicated to the Beer University. Your sampling ticket and commemorative tasting glass gets you access to unique beers you’ve never tasted. Brewers will also discuss various aspects of their process and different styles of beer. 2012 sessions included discussions of German Lagers, nano breweries, barrel aging and Real English Ales. On Thursday night, they have a limited seating beer dinner with Sleepy Owl Brewing Co. and Holston River Brewing Co. A Bacon Stout paired with dark chocoate covered bacon with with raspberry compote? A Peach Cobbler Pilsner paired with peach and mango samosas? My mouth is watering already! The Stir Fry Cafe will be serving up some delicious main dishes as well, including fennel sausage and Korean short ribs. Hunter Roberts, the finalist for the 2013 Rocky Top Comedy Contest, will be entertaining diners during the 3rd and 5th course. Plenty to do besides drink as well. Toss up some fun at the double elimination cornhole tournament with a purse of $1,100 in prizes. Wiener dog races, bier stein hoisting competition and Smoke & Fire 5K run will keep you entertained. Last year, there were over a dozen bands playing on two stages. Bring the kids too as Das Kidzone is an alcohol free family fun zone with four bouncy inflatables, face painting, Stiltwalkers and more. You can find more information on their website, Facebook or Twitter. Bethlehem Oktoberfest When national media featured World Cup watch parties, Bethlehem’s made the list. They definitely know how to throw a good party at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. You would already know that however if you had attended the Arts Quest Oktoberfest in one of its first three years. They’ve made some changes for 2014 that should expand the event, including changing the name to the Bethlehem Oktoberfest, adding a 5K and reducing the price of admission all the way to FREE! It will be held the first two weekends in October. “When Yuengling approached us with the idea of transforming Oktoberfest into a free event for our community, we thought it fit in perfectly with our mission, as well as our programming, about 65 percent of which is actually free to attend,” says ArtsQuest Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advancement Kassie Hilgert. “Removing the admission fee at Oktoberfest will no doubt allow even more people to enjoy this unique experience and festival. We thank D.G. Yuengling & Son for all of its support in helping us develop some amazing programming at SteelStacks over the past several years.” Since Yuengling is the primary sponsor, there will no doubt be plenty of beer there. But they are also adding a Craft Brewers’ Village, which sounds very promising. They will have 25+ craft brews from Pennsylvania’s finest breweries to sample. Tickets go on sale for the Brewers Village on September 10th. Even if you don’t drink, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Throw your hat in the ring for one of the many competitions, like the spielplatz games, scarecrow competition, wiener dog races or 5K run. Grab a card for the 99.9 the Hawk Bingo Bonanza to win Or simply enjoy the entertainment as local bars compete in the Yuengling Bar Skills Challenge and local celebrities go head to head in the Raven 1 to 1 Celebrity Skills Challenge. This event is good for all ages too, with plenty of children’s activities including rides and a hay maze. Get more information on their website, 5K website or Facebook. Monterey Bay Oktoberfest The Monterey County Fairgrounds will be converted into a family-friendly Bavarian festival on September 13th and 14th. In its fourth year, it has already become the Central Coast of California’s largest Oktoberfest. Visitors enjoy “a great time of camaraderie, beer, dancing, Lederhosen, [and] fun,” according to Oktoberfest Monterey Bay Founder Chef Andre. They’ve clearly been inspired by the Munich festival, with an official parade and keg tapping to start off the celebration. Under the big tent, they’ll have live entertainment by the Flying Dutchman and The Internationals. They have imported Spaten beer from Germany and will serve bratwurst, pretzels, apple strudel and more to the festive crowd. There should be plenty to do and see as well, with a beer stein holding competition and Miss Oktoberfest contest. They aren’t resting on their past success, either. They have added a bunch of new activities to the schedule for 2014, including a Carnival, petting zoo, dachshund races and a Miss Jr. Oktoberfest contest. Family Day is still Sunday, with a special emphasis on activities to keep the kids busy! Local non-profits benefit from your support of this festival. They donated over $15,000 to Carmel Host Lion, Cannery Row Rotary and Heritage Foundation last year. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information. Vegan Oktoberfest This festival has made a huge splash already and they haven’t even held their first event. The people behind the Vegan Oktoberfest want to show the world that no animals have to be harmed to have a fun time with great beer, great food and great people. If I were on the West Coast on October 4th, it is where I would be. The menu is the obvious draw. Where else will you be able to find vegan versions of your favorite German foods? Southern Fried Vegan will have beer-brats with fresh kraut in pretzel buns in addition to their classic Fried Chickun and Mac N’ Cheeze. Sage Organic Bistro will be there with German style Soft Pretzels, a gluten free pretzel and Potato Pancakes. Vendors will also have Sausage & Potato Pizza, ice cream and a variety of other vegan options. There will be both gluten free beer and pretzels for those with a dietary restriction. Although we expect that there will be many vegan and vegetarian attendees, this festival should be popular with foodies and their friends as well. Jill Ryther, an organizer of the event, said, “We are confident meat eaters will be shocked at the taste and quality of our vegan sausages and hot dogs and some may even make the switch to vegan options permanently!” The celebration will happen within sight of the Pacific Ocean, too. This may be the only event where the beer is not the biggest draw, but they haven’t neglected this important aspect of an Oktoberfest. There are nearly 20 breweries scheduled to participate and more expected. Plus, they will have you singing and dancing the night away while you drink with the music of Stewedsheidzel and Knyght Ryder. A portion of the proceeds from this Los Angeles Oktoberfest will go to Expand Animal Rights Now. Visit their website, Twitter or Facebook page for additional details. Flagstaff Oktoberfest Northern Arizona comes out in force to enjoy Flagstaff’s last outdoor festival of the year. “[I]t’s a perfect time of year to sit in the warm fall sun, drink some beer, listen to some great music and enter in one of our many contests,” said Jennifer Grogan, co-owner of Peak Events in Flagstaff. The sixth annual event will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Wheeler Park. It’s no surprise to us that Grogan called out their contests when asked what makes their event special. The photos of their stuff the bug contest were one of the first things that attracted us to the festival. How many people could you pile into a Volkswagen? There’s only one place to find out! Don’t worry, experienced gamers. They also have more traditional competitions like the brat eating, beer stein holding and yodeling contests. Wear your dirndl or lederhosen to participate in the costume contest. It’s a family friendly event with Mug Root Beer Garden for kids. Live entertainment will include German polka music by Polka Katzen as well as blues & rock by The Buzzard Brothers. The event benefits the Flagstaff Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team. For more information about the fest, visit their website or Facebook page. Macon Octoberfest They serve up Bavarian traditions Georgia style in Macon on the last weekend in October. Nine local craft breweries from Georgia will be serving up beverages in the beer garden. There will also be authentic Bavarian food and even a cyclocross bike race. The event takes place in Tattnall Square Park, across the street from the Mercer University campus. The musical lineup runs the gamut from “Bourbon fueled, Bayou rock” to a German polka band. Southern artists abound, with a number of Georgia and Nashville-based musicians. It is headlined by Southern rock band The Weeks and Nashville bluegrass band Steeldrivers. The Weeks opened for Kings of Leon last summer in Europe and one of The Steeldrivers songs was covered by Adele. You’ll have to attend both Friday and Saturday night though if you want to hear Buttons AND If it Hadn’t Been for Love. Did I mention that 100% of the proceeds go to charity? Oh yes. The causes are the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, All About Animals Rescue and LH Harris Ecology Center. Tickets for the Brewers Brunch are already sold out, but you can still get tickets to the beer garden. Get more information about the event on their website Springboro Oktoberfest The Springboro United Church of Christ embraces its German heritage with the 2nd annual two day Oktoberfest on September 12th and 13th. The keg tapping ceremony is Saturday from 3-4 PM with the Jagdhorn Blaser Gruppe and the Cincinnati Enzian Dancers. It is one of the more authentic Oktoberfest[s] in the region,” according to organizer John Hanson. This year, they will have an expanded kids zone with rides as well as a German candy store that has 25 varieties of imported chocolate. Traditional Oktoberfest music is on the lineup card, headlined by The Klaberheads on Saturday night. They were founded more than 80 years ago and have played the area’s largest Oktoberfests, including both Cleveland and (the upcoming) Zinzinnati in 2014. Friday night features the Schnapps Band, a German-American band started in 1978 that played the music when Cincinnati set the record for the world’s largest chicken dance. There will be a nightly chicken dance as well as a Saturday evening Stein Holding Contest. Beer selection features tasty beverages from Paulaner and Yuengling. There will be a total of 10 different German beers on tap. Traditional German cuisine including bratwurst, roasted chicken, schweinebraten, and schnitzel are available for purchase. There are a total of eight varieties of sausage, including spicy pepper jack metts and apple gouda chicken sausage. A portion of event proceeds go to supporting The Wounded Warrior Project, the Springboro Community Assistance Center and The Shriners Hospital for Children – Cincinnati. Learn more about the festival on their website, Facebook page or Twitter. Oktoberfest Joplin This two-day festival in Downtown Joplin combines an Oktoberfest beer garden with a fall festival for kids. It’s the regions premier fall harvest street festival with a portion of the proceeds going to local charities such as the Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation, Joplin Family Y, Downtown Joplin Alliance and others. The beer garden has seasonal craft beers on tap and there’s plenty of fall festival food including bratwurst and giant pretzels. Competitors can enter the Yodeling, hot dog eating, cornhole, stein holding or costume contests. With free admission and four stages of live music, there’s much to like about this October 3-4, 2014 event. Learn more on their Facebook page.

Oktoberfest has a long and interesting history, dating back more than 200 years to the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in Munich. Once confined to the Weisn, it has now spread around the country with celebrations from China to Brazil.

In the United States, there are several that have been going on more than 50 years. You can see some of them on our list of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. Because of their popularity, age and traditions, they dominate the top Oktoberfest lists that are put out every fall.

We decided to dig a little deeper this year and find the up-and-coming festivals that you’ll probably see on these top ten lists in the future. They haven’t been around long enough to acquire the following necessary to break into the upper echelons of the Oktoberfest world. And some of the communities are too small to perhaps ever attract such a large following. But we expect great things from them in the future, and they are definitely worth the drive to visit them right now.

Some of the best times in life happen when a place exceeds your expectations. The new restaurant by an unknown chef that has been overlooked by all of the restaurant critics. The mixologist that makes amazing drinks and interesting conversation at a hole-in-the wall bar with a small but loyal crowd. You stop in to check it out and leave raving to your friends about how much you enjoyed the food.

We think you should add one (or more) of these ten Oktoberfests which are under ten years old to your fall traditions:

AustOberfest

Austin, the home of the ACL Music Festival and nearly one million people, was without an Oktoberfest until last year. That’s when the Austin Saengerrunde stepped into the void to throw the inaugural AustOberfest at Saengerrunde Hall. Last year, they were named “Best New Food Event” in Austin. And the Culture Trip listed it as one of 10 “Unmissable Events” in Austin this September. Why is it garnering such accolades? All you can eat sausage from 18+ BBQ places in Central Texas – enough said! Two drink tickets are thrown in as well, with the option of purchasing another for just $1 more. AND each drink ticket gets you FIVE drinks!

They promise that it will be bigger and better this year so get your tickets for September 27th now. The lineup of sausage suppliers is mouth-wateringly good and there will be plenty of beer to wash it down. It wouldn’t be Austin or Oktoberfest without live music. Czech Melody Masters, The Derailers, Jared & The Mill will all be there to make sure you are dancing the night away! Take part in one of their fun games and leave with a souvenir Paulaner tasting glass.

The charitable beneficiary of the event is Foodways Texas. It was founded in July 2010 to preserve, promote and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas.

After a successful first year, they’ve extended this popular West Sacramento Oktoberfest to a three-day event for 2014. “Come October, a piece of Germany is coming to Northern California in Sactoberfest,” said Rich Clakeley, owner of Finrich Events and event producer of Sactoberfest.

The festivities will kick off on the riverfront Friday afternoon (October 10th) with a parade, keg tapping ceremony and live music. In true Munich spirit, they’ve also added a carnival to the event to bring 16+ rides and amusement games for some family-friendly fun. Sunday is “Familiennachmitagen Day” with special entertainment for all ages, but kids are welcome to attend the rest of the celebration..

The beer will be flowing with German favorites Spaten, Erdinger, Hofbrau and Franzikaner served under the massive bier tent by waitresses dressed in dirndls. Go local with craft beer from breweries such as Sudwerk, Yolo, Bike Dog or Jackrabbit. If you get hungry, they’ll have “some of the region’s best locally produced and German-inspired cuisine,” according to Clakeley. Frickle Brothers, Borderick Roadhouse, Ten22 and The German Deli are all scheduled to be there serving food.

You’ll need to get dressed up if you want to capture the title of Best Lederhosen or Dirndl Dress. If style isn’t your strength, stein holding, wurst tossing and keg rolling are all on the agenda. For those that haven’t practiced their Oktoberfest games, beer pong and corn hole are also scheduled. The musical lineup includes The Internationals, the 21-piece brass Chico Bavarian Band, the Flying Dutchman and Alpine Horns. If you are going, don’t forget to practice your chicken dance!

Love to drink? You are in for a treat in Tennessee on September 13th. 45 brewers will offer up more than 100+ obscure and unique craft beers for attendees. “[Y]ou’re sure to feel like you’ve stepped into Bavaria,” according to Festival Director Stephanie Carson.

Two sections of the bier garden will be dedicated to the Beer University. Your sampling ticket and commemorative tasting glass gets you access to unique beers you’ve never tasted. Brewers will also discuss various aspects of their process and different styles of beer. 2012 sessions included discussions of German Lagers, nano breweries, barrel aging and Real English Ales.

On Thursday night, they have a limited seating beer dinner with Sleepy Owl Brewing Co. and Holston River Brewing Co. A Bacon Stout paired with dark chocoate covered bacon with with raspberry compote? A Peach Cobbler Pilsner paired with peach and mango samosas? My mouth is watering already! The Stir Fry Cafe will be serving up some delicious main dishes as well, including fennel sausage and Korean short ribs. Hunter Roberts, the finalist for the 2013 Rocky Top Comedy Contest, will be entertaining diners during the 3rd and 5th course.

Plenty to do besides drink as well. Toss up some fun at the double elimination cornhole tournament with a purse of $1,100 in prizes. Wiener dog races, bier stein hoisting competition and Smoke & Fire 5K run will keep you entertained. Last year, there were over a dozen bands playing on two stages. Bring the kids too as Das Kidzone is an alcohol free family fun zone with four bouncy inflatables, face painting, Stiltwalkers and more.

When national media featured World Cup watch parties, Bethlehem’s made the list. They definitely know how to throw a good party at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. You would already know that however if you had attended the Arts Quest Oktoberfest in one of its first three years. They’ve made some changes for 2014 that should expand the event, including changing the name to the Bethlehem Oktoberfest, adding a 5K and reducing the price of admission all the way to FREE! It will be held the first two weekends in October.

“When Yuengling approached us with the idea of transforming Oktoberfest into a free event for our community, we thought it fit in perfectly with our mission, as well as our programming, about 65 percent of which is actually free to attend,” says ArtsQuest Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advancement Kassie Hilgert. “Removing the admission fee at Oktoberfest will no doubt allow even more people to enjoy this unique experience and festival. We thank D.G. Yuengling & Son for all of its support in helping us develop some amazing programming at SteelStacks over the past several years.” Since Yuengling is the primary sponsor, there will no doubt be plenty of beer there. But they are also adding a Craft Brewers’ Village, which sounds very promising. They will have 25+ craft brews from Pennsylvania’s finest breweries to sample. Tickets go on sale for the Brewers Village on September 10th.

Even if you don’t drink, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Throw your hat in the ring for one of the many competitions, like the spielplatz games, scarecrow competition, wiener dog races or 5K run. Grab a card for the 99.9 the Hawk Bingo Bonanza to win Or simply enjoy the entertainment as local bars compete in the Yuengling Bar Skills Challenge and local celebrities go head to head in the Raven 1 to 1 Celebrity Skills Challenge. This event is good for all ages too, with plenty of children’s activities including rides and a hay maze.

The Monterey County Fairgrounds will be converted into a family-friendly Bavarian festival on September 13th and 14th. In its fourth year, it has already become the Central Coast of California’s largest Oktoberfest. Visitors enjoy “a great time of camaraderie, beer, dancing, Lederhosen, [and] fun,” according to Oktoberfest Monterey Bay Founder Chef Andre.

They’ve clearly been inspired by the Munich festival, with an official parade and keg tapping to start off the celebration. Under the big tent, they’ll have live entertainment by the Flying Dutchman and The Internationals. They have imported Spaten beer from Germany and will serve bratwurst, pretzels, apple strudel and more to the festive crowd. There should be plenty to do and see as well, with a beer stein holding competition and Miss Oktoberfest contest.

They aren’t resting on their past success, either. They have added a bunch of new activities to the schedule for 2014, including a Carnival, petting zoo, dachshund races and a Miss Jr. Oktoberfest contest. Family Day is still Sunday, with a special emphasis on activities to keep the kids busy!

Local non-profits benefit from your support of this festival. They donated over $15,000 to Carmel Host Lion, Cannery Row Rotary and Heritage Foundation last year. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.

Vegan Oktoberfest

This festival has made a huge splash already and they haven’t even held their first event. The people behind the Vegan Oktoberfest want to show the world that no animals have to be harmed to have a fun time with great beer, great food and great people. If I were on the West Coast on October 4th, it is where I would be.

The menu is the obvious draw. Where else will you be able to find vegan versions of your favorite German foods? Southern Fried Vegan will have beer-brats with fresh kraut in pretzel buns in addition to their classic Fried Chickun and Mac N’ Cheeze. Sage Organic Bistro will be there with German style Soft Pretzels, a gluten free pretzel and Potato Pancakes. Vendors will also have Sausage & Potato Pizza, ice cream and a variety of other vegan options. There will be both gluten free beer and pretzels for those with a dietary restriction.

Although we expect that there will be many vegan and vegetarian attendees, this festival should be popular with foodies and their friends as well. Jill Ryther, an organizer of the event, said, “We are confident meat eaters will be shocked at the taste and quality of our vegan sausages and hot dogs and some may even make the switch to vegan options permanently!” The celebration will happen within sight of the Pacific Ocean, too.

This may be the only event where the beer is not the biggest draw, but they haven’t neglected this important aspect of an Oktoberfest. There are nearly 20 breweries scheduled to participate and more expected. Plus, they will have you singing and dancing the night away while you drink with the music of Stewedsheidzel and Knyght Ryder.

A portion of the proceeds from this Los Angeles Oktoberfest will go to Expand Animal Rights Now.

Northern Arizona comes out in force to enjoy Flagstaff’s last outdoor festival of the year. “[I]t’s a perfect time of year to sit in the warm fall sun, drink some beer, listen to some great music and enter in one of our many contests,” said Jennifer Grogan, co-owner of Peak Events in Flagstaff. The sixth annual event will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Wheeler Park.

It’s no surprise to us that Grogan called out their contests when asked what makes their event special. The photos of their stuff the bug contest were one of the first things that attracted us to the festival. How many people could you pile into a Volkswagen? There’s only one place to find out! Don’t worry, experienced gamers. They also have more traditional competitions like the brat eating, beer stein holding and yodeling contests. Wear your dirndl or lederhosen to participate in the costume contest.

It’s a family friendly event with Mug Root Beer Garden for kids. Live entertainment will include German polka music by Polka Katzen as well as blues & rock by The Buzzard Brothers.

The event benefits the Flagstaff Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team. For more information about the fest, visit their website or Facebook page.

Macon Octoberfest

They serve up Bavarian traditions Georgia style in Macon on the last weekend in October. Nine local craft breweries from Georgia will be serving up beverages in the beer garden. There will also be authentic Bavarian food and even a cyclocross bike race. The event takes place in Tattnall Square Park, across the street from the Mercer University campus.

The musical lineup runs the gamut from “Bourbon fueled, Bayou rock” to a German polka band. Southern artists abound, with a number of Georgia and Nashville-based musicians. It is headlined by Southern rock band The Weeks and Nashville bluegrass band Steeldrivers. The Weeks opened for Kings of Leon last summer in Europe and one of The Steeldrivers songs was covered by Adele. You’ll have to attend both Friday and Saturday night though if you want to hear Buttons AND If it Hadn’t Been for Love.

Did I mention that 100% of the proceeds go to charity? Oh yes. The causes are the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, All About Animals Rescue and LH Harris Ecology Center. Tickets for the Brewers Brunch are already sold out, but you can still get tickets to the beer garden. Get more information about the event on their website

Springboro Oktoberfest

The Springboro United Church of Christ embraces its German heritage with the 2nd annual two day Oktoberfest on September 12th and 13th. The keg tapping ceremony is Saturday from 3-4 PM with the Jagdhorn Blaser Gruppe and the Cincinnati Enzian Dancers. It is one of the more authentic Oktoberfest[s] in the region,” according to organizer John Hanson. This year, they will have an expanded kids zone with rides as well as a German candy store that has 25 varieties of imported chocolate.

Traditional Oktoberfest music is on the lineup card, headlined by The Klaberheads on Saturday night. They were founded more than 80 years ago and have played the area’s largest Oktoberfests, including both Cleveland and (the upcoming) Zinzinnati in 2014. Friday night features the Schnapps Band, a German-American band started in 1978 that played the music when Cincinnati set the record for the world’s largest chicken dance. There will be a nightly chicken dance as well as a Saturday evening Stein Holding Contest.

Beer selection features tasty beverages from Paulaner and Yuengling. There will be a total of 10 different German beers on tap. Traditional German cuisine including bratwurst, roasted chicken, schweinebraten, and schnitzel are available for purchase. There are a total of eight varieties of sausage, including spicy pepper jack metts and apple gouda chicken sausage.

A portion of event proceeds go to supporting The Wounded Warrior Project, the Springboro Community Assistance Center and The Shriners Hospital for Children – Cincinnati.

This two-day festival in Downtown Joplin combines an Oktoberfest beer garden with a fall festival for kids. It’s the regions premier fall harvest street festival with a portion of the proceeds going to local charities such as the Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation, Joplin Family Y, Downtown Joplin Alliance and others.

The beer garden has seasonal craft beers on tap and there’s plenty of fall festival food including bratwurst and giant pretzels. Competitors can enter the Yodeling, hot dog eating, cornhole, stein holding or costume contests. With free admission and four stages of live music, there’s much to like about this October 3-4, 2014 event.

]]>2Enjoy Free Music Festival in NJ September 12th-14thhttp://www.funtober.com/enjoy-free-music-festival-nj-september-12th-14th/
http://www.funtober.com/enjoy-free-music-festival-nj-september-12th-14th/#commentsWed, 03 Sep 2014 20:17:41 +0000http://www.funtober.com/?p=35619This fall take the short drive over to central New Jersey for a full weekend of free live Jazz performances in 3 different venues. September 12-14, 2014 is the date for the annual Central Jersey Jazz Fest. This is one of the featured events on the Funtober Fall New Jersey Festivals page. Enjoy performances by the Bernie Worrel Orchestra, the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, the T.S. Monk Sextet, and many more. Friday’s event takes place 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm in downtown Flemington, New Jersey at 75 Main Street. Saturday’s event is at Monument Square in downtown New Brunswick from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Sunday’s event is on the Somerset County Court House Green (corner of E. Main and Grove Streets) in Somerville from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Friday’s event in Flemington brings 25 local artists and artisans together with 6 local restaurants for a wonderful art, food, and music event. There is a big music stage at the Flemington Court House Steps, a festival food court, and a beer garden. Enjoy local micro-brews and wines. At 6:00 the Emily Asher’s Garden Party kicks things off. The Winard Harper Sextet takes the stage at 7:00 pm. Warren Vache and Harry Allen perform at 8:00 pm. Finally at 9:00 pm the Bernie Worrell Orchestra headlines the evening. Saturday’s event in New Brunswick is all about the on stage music and local restaurants. The Josh Evans Sextet takes the stage at 1:00 pm. The New Brunswick District Jazz Band plays for a half hour at 2:15 pm before the Jazzmeia Horn Quintet takes the stage. The Ravi Coltrane Quartet closes out the afternoon beginning at 4:30 pm. Sunday’s event in Somerville features both festival foods on site and fabulous local restaurants. Also a beer and wine garden at the Verve Restaurant is adjacent to the Somerset County Courthouse Green. Over 30 local craftsman and artists will present a mixture of prints, photography, cards, woodwork, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, and more. Sunday’s jazz music starts with Emmet Cohen on stage at 1:00 pm. The Jazz House Kids will perform short sets between featured performers. Brianna Thomas takes the main stage at 2:20 pm. Houston Person performs from 3:40 pm to 4:40 pm. Finally the T.S. Monk Sextet headlines the afternoon performances beginning at 5:00 pm. When the Jazz Fest ends the after party spills out onto Division Street for continued fun at the local restaurants. You are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to both the Saturday and Sunday events. Even picnic baskets are welcome (without alcohol). Enjoy the afternoon and listen to wonderful Jazz music. In the event of light rain they can move any of the three days events under cover. Check out this You Tube video: Video performance from last years Central Jersey Jazz Festival. Images courtesy of Central Jersey Jazz Festival and Flickr [felipe bascunan]

]]>This fall take the short drive over to central New Jersey for a full weekend of free live Jazz performances in 3 different venues. September 12-14, 2014 is the date for the annual Central Jersey Jazz Fest. This is one of the featured events on the Funtober Fall New Jersey Festivals page.

Enjoy performances by the Bernie Worrel Orchestra, the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, the T.S. Monk Sextet, and many more.

Friday’s event takes place 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm in downtown Flemington, New Jersey at 75 Main Street. Saturday’s event is at Monument Square in downtown New Brunswick from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Sunday’s event is on the Somerset County Court House Green (corner of E. Main and Grove Streets) in Somerville from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Central Jersey Jazz Festival

Friday’s event in Flemington brings 25 local artists and artisans together with 6 local restaurants for a wonderful art, food, and music event. There is a big music stage at the Flemington Court House Steps, a festival food court, and a beer garden. Enjoy local micro-brews and wines. At 6:00 the Emily Asher’s Garden Party kicks things off. The Winard Harper Sextet takes the stage at 7:00 pm. Warren Vache and Harry Allen perform at 8:00 pm. Finally at 9:00 pm the Bernie Worrell Orchestra headlines the evening.

Saturday’s event in New Brunswick is all about the on stage music and local restaurants. The Josh Evans Sextet takes the stage at 1:00 pm. The New Brunswick District Jazz Band plays for a half hour at 2:15 pm before the Jazzmeia Horn Quintet takes the stage. The Ravi Coltrane Quartet closes out the afternoon beginning at 4:30 pm.

Sunday’s event in Somerville features both festival foods on site and fabulous local restaurants. Also a beer and wine garden at the Verve Restaurant is adjacent to the Somerset County Courthouse Green. Over 30 local craftsman and artists will present a mixture of prints, photography, cards, woodwork, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, and more.

Sunday’s jazz music starts with Emmet Cohen on stage at 1:00 pm. The Jazz House Kids will perform short sets between featured performers. Brianna Thomas takes the main stage at 2:20 pm. Houston Person performs from 3:40 pm to 4:40 pm. Finally the T.S. Monk Sextet headlines the afternoon performances beginning at 5:00 pm.

When the Jazz Fest ends the after party spills out onto Division Street for continued fun at the local restaurants.

You are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to both the Saturday and Sunday events. Even picnic baskets are welcome (without alcohol). Enjoy the afternoon and listen to wonderful Jazz music. In the event of light rain they can move any of the three days events under cover.